The History of Idlewild's Technology Lab
By Linda Milam
During a critical time when Computer Literacy Education was on the rise, I set up the first computer lab at Idlewild Elementary in 1987; Dr. Joyce Jones was principal. Memphis City Schools had already jumped on the bandwagon and written a Computer Literacy Curriculum that became a model for the state of Tennessee. I was prepared to begin this roll as computer lab teacher because I had been on the technology curriculum writing team for Memphis City Schools and the Computer Skills Next technology writing team for the State of Tennessee. The new computer lab was located on the second floor of the main building and housed 15 Apple lle computers. Students visited the lab once a week for 45 minutes and used the MECC curriculum software for computer literacy instruction. Some popular titles were: Oregon Trail, Odell Lake, Lemonade Stand and The Friendly Computer.
The following year the computer lab was moved to it’s current location in the annex, room 218A, near the other support classrooms. Money from a Chapter II Computer Education grant and PTO support provided enough funds to purchase additional Apple lle computers so that fewer students shared a computer. The grant also provided critical software (The Apple Learning Series) and hardware for younger students who struggled using the keyboard. The project provided text-to-speech capabilities using the Echo Speech Synthesizer, Touch Screens for tactile interaction and large keyboards called Muppet Learning Keys. Software that was purchased to take advantage of this innovative hardware included: Talking Text Writer, Muppets On Stage, Muppetville, Muppet Word Book and others. With my expertise in using the Apple Learning Series, I presented and demonstrated this software’s capabilities at the TECC in Nashville and at the Children’s Museum in Memphis. Students also continued to use the MECC curriculum software as well. I along with another computer teacher, developed a computer aided spelling program with MECC software to enhance the current MCS spelling curriculum.
In 1990, under the leadership of Dr. Jones, I was the co-writer of another grant to expand the scope of technology education at Idlewild. Project CAPS (Computers and Problem Solving, proposed to enhance the existing technology program with instruction emphasizing critical thinking and problem solving, in grades 4-6. As a result, the computer lab received 10 new Apple lle Color Systems and 1 Apple ll GS Professional System. The ten color systems replaced 10 apple monochrome computer systems that were placed in classrooms. The Project CAPS program relied heavily on the following software titles: Safari Search, The King’s Rule, The Factory and Thinkin’ Things. During this time an after school tutorial program was also set up in the computer lab.
By 1992, Dr. Jim Lucky was principal at Idlewild Elementary. The computer lab housed 23 Apple lle computers, 11 printers and a host of software programs to develop various technology and curriculum skills. During Dr. Lucky’s tenure, another layer was added to technology education at Idlewild. The computer lab was the recipient of another grant co-written by Dr. Lucky, the science lab teacher, and me. This grant focused on using technology for science exploration and application. A new science lab position was created, allowing the two labs to collaborate and plan hands-on science activities, laboratory/technology experiments and a science Olympiad. Sixteen Macintosh computers were purchased for the computer lab and one for the science lab. To enhance the science curriculum, new software was purchased for both labs, which included the following titles: A Fieldtrip to the Rainforest, A Fieldtrip to the Sky, A Fieldtrip to the Sea and other Sunburst fieldtrip titles. The Science Learn About titles from Sunburst were also purchased. The labs also received laser Discs players, laser discs, modems, dedicated phone lines for telecommunicating, laser printers and a closed circuit video microscope system.
This grant included a publishing portion as well. The Macintosh computers in the computer lab, with their great publishing capabilities, were used to publish a monthly newspaper using the Newsroom Software program. The 6th grade CLUE students published the Eagle’s Eye, a monthly newspaper, with me as their sponsor. This was the first computer club. Also students continued to be tutored after school in the computer lab.
In 1993, as Dr. Rick Potts took over the helm at Idlewild Elementary, there was a tidal wave of technological innovation and change. There were two major grant opportunities that transformed the face of technology instruction in the computer lab and in the classrooms. The 21st Century project grant allowed classroom teachers to receive computers, printers, software, digital cameras, large screen monitors, teacher carts, VCRs, Laser Disc Players, laser printers and Internet drops in their classrooms. Ten teachers applied for and were awarded this grant. However, Dr, Potts was eventually able to procure this hardware, software and Internet connectivity for every classroom teacher and support teacher at Idlewild.
Student computer stations were Macintosh LC 520s. Teacher stations consisted of the Macintosh Centris 66AV. Teachers were able to order the software they needed to address every curriculum area pertinent to their classroom instruction. Some popular titles included, Millie’s Math House, Bailey’s Book House, Wiggle Works, Hyper Studio, Microsoft Office, SimCity, Where In The World is Carmen Sandiego, PowerPoint, Kid Pix, The Print Shop, The Oregon Trail CD, Grolier’s Encyclopedia CD and many others. With The Centris 660 AV and Internet connections, teachers were able to telecommunicate with other schools using software titles from National Geographic like, Hello, What’s In Your Water and others.
Along with Internet connectivity came email capabilities and Internet Browsers. Teachers used The Netscape Browser or Internet Explorer. Our Email service provider was ENA, which required us to use (username)@ Ten-Nash-Ten.k12.tn.us as our school email address. A fileserver was purchased for the computer lab so that software titles could be shared with classroom teachers over the school’s local network. The Windows On Science Laser Discs were purchased to enhance the science curriculum and provide continued collaboration between the two labs. Every teacher was trained to use the new 21st Century software and hardware at the TLA. Follow up training was provided in the computer lab by me.
My title, Computer Lab Teacher, was changed to Technology Coordinator. To keep my skills current and relevant, I received extensive training annually at the TLA, University of Memphis, Technology Computer Conference in Nashville (TECC) and met monthly for Technology Coordinator training at the board auditorium. The first Idlewild Elementary Website was launched during this period.
The second grant (Goals 2000), called Primetime TV, gave another boost to technology at Idlewild. This grant was responsible for establishing an in-house television station. Equipment and software were purchased for video and audio recording and editing. The main TV station and equipment were housed in the conference room. Student teams used professional video cameras, microphones and lighting to record a daily news show and other school activities to broadcast live in every classroom. During this period Idlewild became a Co-Nect school. Some changes to technology and technology education included: a new face and new software for our school’s website design, project-based learning using technology in the classroom and computer lab, and additional technical assistance. After school tutoring in the computer lab was continued.
By the year 2000, Mrs. Catchings was principal. The lab housed 25 G3 Macintosh computers at that time. Eventually the lab housed 30 student iMac computers, and a new iMac was purchased for the teacher cart. Also purchased was a cart with a projector, laptop and an iPad to use with the new Smart Board. During her term, her focus was on keeping technology current and relevant for our teachers and students. She made a number of significant technology purchases for our school that included Apple Laptop carts for the library and science lab. Every three years the Apple computers from the computer lab were rotated to the classrooms and new Macs were purchased for the computer lab. Through the use of Optional School funds, I was able to purchase additional hardware and software for the computer lab and classrooms. Funds were also used to upgrade every Macintosh computer and laptop in the school. Initially, Smart Boards, laptops, projectors and carts were purchased for the computer and science labs but eventually they were purchased for every classroom. Through a generous donation from the Idlewild PTO, iPads were purchased for the 5th grade teachers.
During this time all classrooms were wired with 6 Internet drops and received Internet phones. Eventually the entire school included wireless capability for every computer in the school. As the school’s web page designer, I used Dream Weaver software & HTML. Eventually the software of choice for web page design was changed to Contribute and I became the web page content manager. I was responsible for administrating the following school-based and system-wide online initiatives: Accelerated Reader, Study Island, Nettrekker, United Streaming/Discovery Education, Learning Village, Edutyping, EPGY Stanford Math (Certified Stanford Math Master Teacher), Gaggle and others.
Students participated with me in the following extracurricular activities: The Academy Awards Technology Challenge (second place winners two years in a row); after school tutoring in the computer lab; Computer Club/Tech Helpers; School Newsletter production; and printer cartridge recycling.
In the classroom, students also enjoyed using the following software titles or online activities: Kid Pix 3D, World Book Online, World Book CD, Starfall, iPhoto. iMovie, Grargeband, Photo Booth, Scratch, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Edutyping, Bookflix, Code Studio, TEL, PBS Kids, Dance Mat Typing, Britannica School, Gaggle and others.
During the 2014-15 school year, Mr. Thompson became principal at Idlewild Elementary, with a goal to ramp-up science and technology. The computer lab and science lab teachers visited Whitehaven Elementary to view their STEM program. A new microphone was purchased and used to produce podcasts to capture the morning announcements. A science/technology bulletin board was constructed to showcase activities in the two labs. I, along with a parent, produced a video of school activities to show at the Optional School Open House and Optional School Fair.
The computer lab continued to house the equipment that was current the previous school year. Students continued to participate with me in the previously mentioned extracurricular and computer classroom activities.
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