GLEN COVE SCHOOL DISTRICT WINS THE 2009 SYLVIA CHARP AWARD FOR DISTRICT INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY
T.H.E. Journal and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE®) have named the Glen Cove School District in Glen Cove, NY, the recipient of the sixth annual Sylvia Charp District Award in honor of the late Sylvia Charp. Charp was the founder and editor-in-chief of T.H.E. Journal and was an ardent, lifelong supporter of ISTE and its mission.
The Charp Award recognizes school districts that exhibit effectiveness and innovation in applying technology district-wide. Criteria for the award include:
* Consistent district effectiveness
* Use of ISTE's National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) or a local or statewide derivative of those standards
* Effective and innovative implementation of technology
* A commitment to share technology information with other districts.
Glen Cove School District has become the model in the use of classroom technology in Nassau County, NY. Officials from outside districts have consulted with Glen Cove School District officials to learn from the measures that are currently in place and to implement similar initiatives in their own districts. Glen Cove has demonstrated a commitment toward creating interactive learning environments for students in its schools.
The district has completely reformed its instructional program from 2005 when state test scores were dismal and technology was outdated. Glen Cove actually used technology as a bridge to strengthen and improve its current curriculum and motivate both teachers and students. Today, multiple forms of technology are utilized such as SmartBoards, computer response pads (aka, clickers), video and film production and Web 2.0 tools. The emphasis has been on how to best promote creativity, innovation, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
According to Dr. Shari Camhi, assistant superintendent, "Technology serves many purposes, but in Glen Cove, the purpose is to inspire, feed curiosity, stimulate critical thinking and problem solving and facilitate/perfect communication. Technology facilitates the ability to teach for understanding, to differentiate instruction and to allow students to infer and conjecture. Technology is not distributed "institutionally", that is for example, all fifth grade classrooms get a SmartBoard, all science classrooms get computer response pads, etc. Instead, it is distributed according to appropriateness to the curriculum and interest. We all know that billions of dollars have been wasted on putting technology into classrooms where teachers are not ready to use it. Instead, as teachers appropriately use different technology, it is then made available in their classrooms. Therefore, you might find ten science classrooms, for example, with ten different types of technology. Some will have CPRs, others with document cameras, and still others with probes or SmartBoards. Some classrooms will have multiple forms of technology. Teachers then share with each other and spread the wealth."
Dr. Shari Camhi, Assistant Superintendent, and Joseph Geller, Director of Technical Services of Glen Cove School District were honored and presented with the award at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), held June 28 through July 1 in Washington, D.C. The district received $2,000 toward NECC registration, travel, and housing.
Picture: left to right, Helen Padgett, ISTE President, Dr. Shari Camhi, Joe Geller, Don Knezek, ISTE CEO
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