CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Dozens of educators from across the state are in Charleston this week to get their tech on. The West Virginia Center for Professional Development is the sponsor of the Infusing Technology Conference.
The goal is to give teachers more knowledge about the technology that’s coming to their schools. They’ll learn how to operate the devices, how to plan lessons and how to use technology in the classroom with students.
It’s a chance for Linda Mundy, a 5th grade teacher at Cross Lanes Elementary in Kanawha County, to brush up on her iPad skills. Last year she introduced the devices into the classroom on a limited basis.
“The students just had a such a colossal time with this. So we’re going to broaden our horizons and see what’s out there,” she explained.
By learning with other teachers she’ll pick up new skills to take back to her kids. She stressed pencil and paper are out of vogue these days when students already spend so much time on electronic devices like their cell phones and X-Boxes.
“Being able to open this world to them and make it educational and make it fun, this is something they enjoy!”
And they’re not alone. Unlike some more traditional educators Mundy can’t hide her excitement to use technology to teach.
“I’m just like a sponge and anytime anything like this is offered, I just go for it,” she said.
Kanawha County teachers will get their iPads on Thursday and Friday. Students at Herbert Hoover High School and Elkview Middle will all get their own devices at the beginning of the school year. The program will spread out from there to other schools in the county. Mundy said she’s not sure when her students can go high tech but she can’t wait.
“It’s lightened my book load. My book bag is a lot lighter,” laughed Mundy.