NEWS Contact: Dr. Dee Cockrille 304.529.6205 [email protected]

Technology Integration and Computer Support by Dr. Dee Cockrille, Executive Director

RESA 2, Regional Education Service Agency, continues a massive effort to bring advanced technology into the schools in the region, thereby giving children a sense of excitement in learning and the skills to compete in the local and global work world. To advance these changes in teaching methodology, professional educators in K- 12 schools are continually challenged to re-evaluate their delivery of instruction, integrating new technology tools and assisting their students in the transition. RESA has made tremendous investments in technology hardware and software to support these new methods of teaching and learning. Innovative technology integration is one of our agency’s major goals as we work with teachers and schools to supply ongoing support in every classroom in southwestern West Virginia to advance 21st Century teaching and learning, Executive Director Dr. Dee Cockrille points out. Our Special Education Director, Lisa Teeters who also has a specialization in technology integration and the technology repair support team, led by Mark Scarberry, Computer Repair Coordinator collaborate with administrators and teachers to support their use of technology in the delivery of curricula through a variety of instructional methods.

As technology integration specialist for RESA, Teeters works in partnership with counties in the RESA 2 region by coordinating the instruction and integrating the use of hardware, software and internet resources to meet technology proficiency goals. This also assists teachers in meeting state and national standards for subject area and technology-learning objectives.

Serving: Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, and Wayne Counties Curricular integration is a complex process. Therefore, the need to provide support and one-on-one intervention at the regional level becomes an important parameter in creating optimal conditions for full implementation of Global 21 initiatives. It is our duty to empower teachers to harness the power of technology integration for student learning. Our work ties technology closer to curriculum, provides teachers the support to change their instruction, and taps into technology potential to enhance teaching and learning.

Using technology in more student-centered, constructivist ways can be a daunting challenge for many classroom teachers. For example, engaging students in inquiry projects using web-based resources, computer simulation activities, digital probes and other tools require substantial technical and pedagogical support. Therefore, teachers need assistance in knowing which software, technology or interactive tool supports each specific educational goal, as well as which will provide support in using technology effectively on a daily basis.

Glowing testimonials regarding RESA’s support of these initiatives continue to come from educators. The following comes from Lincoln County High School teacher Joe Adkins, who confirms the importance of our agency’s training assistance. “RESA has always been at the forefront of helping bring technology to the schools and training us on how to use the new programs. This has allowed us to better teach our students and bring the world to even the most isolated county or school.”

The team also creates learning resources for teachers, staff and students. These may include websites, tutorials, interactive programs and databases that support teachers in integrating technology. Ideally, teachers will be guided and encouraged to develop their own resources, while the specialist provides additional support in the classroom as requested. RESA 2 not only offers professional training for educators, but also provides intervention in the area of computer repair that requires daily maintenance. Managing technology in the classroom involves ensuring that computers are up and running

Serving: Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, and Wayne Counties effectively. Diagnosing repair issues and providing on-going support for technology repair is critical to keeping students connected to technology tools. Four technicians serve all six counties in the region. They provide repair for state mandated programs, including WVEIS, CBS, SUCCESS, and the Telecommunications Act. Computers purchased under these programs are repaired at no charge to the schools, except for the cost of needed parts. For more than 10 years, RESA 2 has been an authorized IBM/Lenovo warranty repair center capable of processing repairs for desktops, laptops, and servers no matter which company they were purchased from. All our repair technicians are A+ and IBM certified and hold a variety of other certifications that qualify them to meet the many daily repair requests from schools throughout the region. Gilbert Elementary School Principal Delmer Blankenship told us his school could never provide the needed technology for students without the resources provided by RESA 2. He commented on the diligence of our service technicians in keeping their computers up and running. Justin Endicott, who is in charge of systems operation at Gilbert Elementary, is grateful to the agency’s technicians for their help when the school was devastated by a flood in May 2009. He said RESA technicians worked quickly to get labs and computers up and running. Reliable technology access is crucial to maintaining curriculum and meeting the mandates for technology use. The technology assistance we provide is an investment in West Virginia’s students, and is just one means by which RESA 2 works to improve learning, provide benefits to the community, and save taxpayer’s money.

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Serving: Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, and Wayne Counties