Medfield High School Academic Year in Review: Technology

One of final tasks as principal was to present the MHS end of year report to the school committee in June.

She reported the 2010-2011 academic year was an overall success highlighted by several goals being met and events taking place.

“We have had many exciting things happen and I’m sure there will be many more exciting things to happen as the years go on,” Noble said. “Once again, it’s been a good year at the high school.”

Noble broke down the year into six themes: Facilities, equipment and technology; Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; Student Life; Personal and Professional Development; School Management and Leadership; Communication and Community Outreach.

Medfield Patch will take an individual look at each theme in Noble’s report in addition to taking an in-depth look at goals for the 2011-12 academic year, new curriculum being offered in the fall, an advisor-advisee pilot program taking place, student life and community involvement and the transition from Noble to Robert Parga as Medfield High School principal. This is part one of our 11-part Medfield High School series.

Facilities, Equipment and Technology:

“This year, thanks to the efforts of the school committee and the community, there was an  that was voted and thus teacher computers will be replaced this summer and interactive LCD projectors are being purchased and will be installed in each classroom in the high school,” Noble said.

Display panels were purchased to display student artwork and will be installed in the foyer and the senior lounge area upstairs of the high school. Teacher computers will also be replaced this summer as a result of the override.

Year Highlights:

• Training took place about incorporating available technologies into the classroom. Joanne Schmidt, Cynthia Blum, Jess Durdel and Liz Curran provided classes designed to utilize wikis, blogs and discussion boards in the classroom.
• Class of 2009 donated an electronic message monitor that was utilized in the cafeteria for general announcements. A second monitor will be installed in the main foyer also for general announcements.

“In other areas of technology, three of our teachers are participating in professional development to allow them to teach tech courses online next year, that’s an addition to two teachers who were trained last year to teach online and one biology teacher who participated in a program to incorporate blended learning into her classroom,” said Noble. “This [past] year, she incorporated the use of “Voice Thread,” where students see an image and can comment on it and it becomes an interactive portion of the class.”

The position of Integration Technology Specialist was reinstituted into the budget and will be filled for the 2011-2012 school year. The intent of this position is to assist the faculty with utilizing technology in all aspects of their curriculum. The art department will also receive several new digital cameras to enhance their photography curriculum as part of a grant obtained by the Medfield Boosters.