School Boards collaborate

Three school districts with different ideas on how to best introduce technology into students' every day lessons, while also meeting Common Core standard requirements, collaborated on best practices Aug. 13.

Charlotte, Manatee and Sarasota School Boards met at the Polo Grill and Bar to discuss successful methods both in the classroom, through the incorporation of Tablets, iPads and laptops, and outside of the classroom, such as healthcare plans and benefits for school employees.

The Manatee County School District spearheaded discussions on how recent purchases, such as ThinkPads, have helped align technology and better prepare students for assessments.

Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Diana Green also stressed the importance of ensuring students receive daily reading and writing lessons and fifth-grade students have daily typing exercises to boost their technology skills.

The switch to more activities on laptops and other systems won't be immediate, however.

"Kids won't be answering questions on Tablets on day one," Green said. "That won't be happening right away; it's something we're still working on."

Look for the extended story in the Aug. 21 issue of The East County Observer.

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].