Legislators receive primer on software available to schools

Lawmakers last week got a taste of a number of different education software and computer programs that could potentially be used to help Utah schools catch up in technology. State education leaders are asking for $30 million to bring technology up to par.

Lawmakers from both the Senate and House education subcommittees met Wednesday at Audio Enhancement in Bluffdale to hear presentations from half a dozen software vendors in an effort to get an idea of what programs were out there and available for schools.

Rick Gaisford, education technology specialist for the State Office of Education, said currently Utah is ranked last in the nation when it comes to access to technology in the classroom.

"We do have a lot of technology in schools but it is mostly in labs — that means only about 30 minutes to an hour once a week," Gaisford said. "We want to see more technology at the point of instruction and that is in the classroom."

He said if the money is approved, students will be able to have access to the tools and resources that they will need to be prepared to work in the world of today and tomorrow.

"We really want to see this happen and think it will be a good thing for students and for teachers," Gaisford said.

Presenters showed legislators computer programs designed for reading, math, limited English proficient students and software that gives students an opportunity for quasi-one-on-one instruction.

Most of the programs guided students during the activities as well as assessed ability levels and pinpointed problem areas.

"The purpose was we wanted to give the legislators a glimpse of the capabilities that exist out there and the tools that are available for teachers to change the learning environment — to enlighten them that these tools can make a difference," said Jim Snyder, vice president for audio enhancement, who hosted the meeting.

Gaisford said three components of the 21st Century Teaching and Learning Initiative are to increase access to technology in classrooms, provide professional development for teachers so that they can effectively use those tools and provide adequate technical support to keep systems running.

Though leaders are currently asking for $30 million, Gaisford said ongoing funding would be needed to keep programs updated and running.

"Technology is the most powerful change agent. In times past people could pull themselves up by their bootstraps if they had fallen behind," Snyder said. "But being technology-illiterate you can't do that — you can't compete in society today if you are not technology-literate."

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