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Leadership
and Achievement through Technology Initiative:
HFM BOCES wins $650,000 state grant to build network of
technology mentors
Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES has been awarded a
$650,000, two-year Enhancing Education Through Technology
grant that in part will give middle school students the
chance to teach their teachers about technology.
Area teachers and students from 30 public and private middle
schools in the HFM BOCES and WSWHE BOCES region will
collaborate to use technology as a tool to improve student
performance in English language arts, mathematics and
science. The state is offering this grant to help meet the
federal goal that all students will demonstrate technology
literacy by the end of eighth grade.
The grant provides stipends for teachers in eight districts
to become digital learning specialists (DLS). Specialists
will offer mentoring and training to their building
colleagues to help integrate technology into classroom
instruction. Additionally, the specialists form a regional
team to provide technology training for teachers in all
participating districts. Currently, the Greater Amsterdam
and Gloversville Enlarged School Districts have digital
learning specialists thanks to a previous Enhancing
Education Through Technology grant. This new project will
add six other districts to the DLS network: Fonda-Fultonville,
Fort Plain, Lake Pleasant, Mayfield, St. Johnsville and
Wheelerville.
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Partnering with a national organization, Generation Yes and
its founder Dr. Dennis Harper, the grant provides for the 30
participating districts to develop and sponsor active New
York State Student Technology Leader clubs. This summer,
selected middle-school students will attend a week-long camp
where they will learn leadership strategies to assist their
peers in demonstrating their technology literacy. The
students will also gain skills to assist their teachers on
how to infuse technology into classroom lessons with the
goals of sustaining student interest and improving student
achievement.
Under the grant, students will teach their digital
“native” language
Today’s students are the first generation to grow up
immersed in digital technology, making them “digital
natives,” according to Mark Prensky, an educational
technology consultant. Students speak and understand
technology as their “native language.” This grant program
allows teachers and students to work together to cross the
divide between the digital natives and many teachers who are
learning to become more technologically adept.
For further information, contact HFM BOCES Assistant
Superintendent Dr. Lorraine Hohenforst or Coordinator of
Instructional Services Stacy Ward.
Detailed information on Generation Yes is available on their
Web site: www.genyes.com.
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