Martins Ferry schools net USDA grant for computers
By KIM APPOLLONI, Times Leader Staff WriterArticle Photos
THE STARSHIP Enterprise? No, the Martins Ferry City School District.
The new facilities at Martins Ferry are certainly state-of-the-art with top-of-the-line equipment in all areas of the new campus. With the help of the USDA Rural Development, technology took a great leap as well.
Carol Costanzo, Area Director for USDA Rural Development, announced the approval of $50,000 in agency funding for the purchase of 110 new computers for use by elementary, middle and high school students in the Martins Ferry City School District. These funds were combined with $54,390 provided by the school system to complete the purchase.
"The existing computers were obsolete and could not support the new technology required for the new buildings and current school curriculum," stated Costanzo. "The new computers will assist students in preparing for proficiency tests in math, reading and writing.
Costanzo added, "What is most exciting for us is that this modern technology places our rural young people on an even playing field with young people across the nation in their opportunity to compete in a global economy. It is Rural Development's privilege to compliment Martins Ferry's investment in its young people and in the quality of life in our rural communities."
Rural Development's Community Facility Program offers financial and technical assistance in developing essential facilities for public use. These include libraries, child care, hospitals, medical facilities, assisted living, police, fire and rescue stations, community centers and transportation.
Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of rural life. Rural Development programs finance and foster growth in home ownership, business development, and critical infrastructure.
For more information, call the Marietta office at (740) 373-7113.
"We can't thank Carol Costanzo and Kristine Crowell enough for all their assistance in helping the Martins Ferry City School District obtain these grant funds," beamed Martins Ferry Technology Coordinator Bruce Hotlotz.
"With the grant monies we were able to provide much needed computers for our staff and students. Our teachers are using these computers as tools to integrate technology into our curriculum and we have Rural Development and in particular Carol and Kristine to thank for our upgrade."
Hotlosz continued, "The Martins Ferry City School District currently uses a wide variety of technologies throughout the District providing students with outstanding educational opportunities in order to give them 21st Century essential skill sets."
According to Hotlosz, technology is introduced in kindergarten through the second grade by the use of Leap Pad systems. The Leap Pad system uses books that provide verbal reinforcement to the student while they are reading new passages. There are numerous books available that address reading levels from beginner up to the fourth grade reading level.
The software also has scores of assessment applications for teachers to use as instruments for improving basic reading comprehension along with vocabulary development.
Hotlosz is excited about the district's use of Study Island which is an Internet based intervention and achievement test preparation software package. Study Island allows students to use the program software any time there is an available computer with Internet access.
Currently students in grades three through 12 are using the program both at home and at school. Study Island also provides assessment tools that Martins Ferry teachers are using to help isolate academic problem areas that need addressed. These areas may involve an entire class or just an individual student.
"Our teachers are implementing Study Island into their curriculum and making time to allow students access to this great program. The kids love it. Most of our students are also using this program at home which is in line with our Quality Change Program making students responsible for their learning and behavior. It's very exciting to know that they are taking it upon themselves to improve academically outside of the classroom."
According to Hotlosz, all grades are using the Classroom Performance System. This system uses wireless remote controls, similar to a TV remote, where students respond to questions and challenges by clicking on the remote.
The system instantly records all students' responses proving both the teacher and the student instant feedback. The software that comes with this system provides a variety of assessment tools and is also capable of grading tests.
The CPS system helps the teacher asses' weather the subject matter being taught in the classroom setting is being comprehended by the students. With the CPS system all students answer the teacher's questions, instead of just who is called upon in a traditional classroom setting. Instantly the assessment software lets the teacher see what percentage of students understand the material that was being presented.
The Classroom Performance system has many other features. This software saves the teacher time and provides the teacher with immediate feed back on student learning with its many assessment functions.
Martins Ferry is part of the Eastern Ohio Tech Prep Consortium and thus offers several Tech Prep Programs providing real world problem solving skills that employers throughout the state of Ohio have deemed as necessary in order for students to obtain employability skills that they will use for an entire lifetime.
Information Technology is a program offered to juniors and seniors where students are trained to repair and maintain stand alone computers along with setting up and maintaining computer networks. Once the students have been taught how a computer and network functions, they then become computer technicians for the school under the supervision of their teacher, Kim Appolloni, and the Technology Coordinator, Bruce Hotlosz. Hotlosz remarked, "Students get actual hands on experience maintaining the school districts hardware and software infrastructure and they know immediately whether this is a career they would want to pursue."
The Engineering College Tech Prep class is taught by John Falbo. In this program students are trained in the use of AUTOCAD, a high-end software design program used by architects and other professionals in the building professions.
Falbo assigns tasks that simulate real world design endeavors and provides future engineers an opportunity to get a jump on their education before heading to a technical or four-year college.
Graphic/Web design is taught by art teacher Joe Ellis. In Graphic Design students are instructed in many of the industrial favorite software packages such as Dream Weaver, Photoshop, Corel Draw, Macro Media products and others. After mastering the skill set for this class students are able to design web pages and edit photos at a professional level.
The Video Production program is taught by Appolloni. This program uses, Photoshop, Adobe Premier and Adobe After Effects to create, capture and edit video,still images and audio. The students create various video projects for the school and other organizations.
"This class is popular because it taps into a student's creative side where they act as producers, actors, directors and editors of their projects. It's amazing what they think up," she said.
Integrated Business is the latest Tech Prep Program that is offered at Martins Ferry. Paul Curnes, a professional investment broker, comes to Martins Ferry High School daily to direct the program. He brings the business world to the students. They learn about the stock market and investment strategies.
Once the students learn the basics they participate in an investment simulation software program where they trade stocks and see if they can increase their initial investment portfolio. The class also takes an annual trip to New York to see firsthand what is happening in the business world which is a great opportunity for the students.
Hotlotz continued, "Not only are our Tech Prep students using technology at the High School, but our Math and Science programs have been integrating technology into their curriculum with great success. We are extremely excited about the future in the new campus."
"Because we were able to use the grant monies provided by Rural Development, we were able to purchase a document camera for every classroom in the district."
Hotlotz continued, "A document camera provides teachers with technology that can display almost anything a student may bring in form home (rocks, plants, artwork ect.). It is also used to show students how problems are worked out in math or science along with displaying maps, music sheets. It has unlimited features that enhance student learning."
It's a Great time to be a Rider.
