Technology is an essential tool for Cincinnati Public Schools' teachers, students and administrators.
Administrators and teachers use technology to make individualized data-driven instructional decisions, assist in assessment and expedite communication with colleagues and the home. Students use technology as a learning tool to prepare for a productive future in the 21st century. One example of how Cincinnati Public Schools is using technology as an educational tool is the district's Virtual High School for over-age/at-risk students.
The district is moving toward the national goal of every student being technologically literate by the end of eighth grade and has adopted the Ohio K-12 Academic Content Technology Standards.
To help protect our students while they use the Internet for their studies, students are required to have an Acceptable Use Agreement signed by their parents, and students' Internet access is filtered with surveillance software.
The Instructional Management System (IMS) has placed a state-of-the-art computer on each teacher's desk and trained 3,000 teachers on the software. The system provides integration of student information into school-site attendance, grading and standards tracking, as well as additional online educational resources for teachers and students. It also provides parents access to their child's records.
Technology-planning assistance is provided to CPS' schools and teachers. Some of the professional development opportunities for teachers include: Summer Technology Institute, Technologist in Residence Program, school-site technology courses, an annual Mini Technology Conference and online technology courses. The district also supports teacher and school Web site development. An Educational Technologist helps oversee school-site technology coordinators and coordinate state technology programs.
Technology is used not only in educating students but in doing the business of education. The district maintains and supports a district Wide Area Network (WAN), provides teacher and administrator email accounts and software licensing for basic application programs and virus protection. On-site technical and break/fix support is available, along with the TechSWEEP program to retire obsolete computer equipment.
Watch for details about the next Mini Technology Conference for Educators which will be held on: