Urban Dreams

Cohorts I and II Teacher Survey– Spring 2002

Technology

 

Computer Hardware

Is the computer hardware you have been given by UD sufficient? Please describe/comment:

Yes

Yes – Enjoy the desktops in classroom. Helpful for students.
Yes – Do CD-ROMs require hardware? I have CD-ROMs that were provided by McDougal/Little Publishing with the textbook, but I never knew how to use it and my printer didn’t work.
Yes - Sufficient, yes, but mostly because it is supplemented by PCs that have been purchased for the yearbook via yearbook profits. (The computers provided by OTX are very limited in use. There is a reason why the private sector donated them.)
Yes. It is excellent and well supported by the technical staff.
Yes. I have an ample number of computers, as I don't think that my small classroom could really hold too many more. Perhaps the older/refurbs could and should be replaced soon as they are being used quite heavily.
Yes. They have more need for repairs, but they are sufficient.
Yes – It would be great to get a few more computers in the classroom. It would be great to get a scanner. It would be great for all of us, students, and teachers, to get computer training.
Yes – Compared to the “nothing” I had before, everything is amazing!
Yes – Two years ago I had a typewriter in my classroom, so I am ecstatic about the hardware I have now. A couple of the older, refurbished computers are unreliable but staff has been very quick to respond to repair needs.
Yes, I have a TV but don’t know how to project my laptop onto it. It was explained once, but I couldn’t duplicate it.
Yes – I have a good, usable number of computers that students use daily.
Yes - I had five machines in my room and a laptop. With classes of 20 that [is] sufficient to allow kids to work in pairs.  
Yes - It's been great and if repairs are needed, UD staff are always there to help in a most timely manner.

 

 

Yes and No

Sometimes. Most of the time it's fine (I never did get the 3 used computers promised), but sometimes, during certain lessons that involve Internet research there’s a logjam. The TV/VCR, digital cameras, and laptop are more than adequate.
Yes and No. Yes to the computers but it took an awfully long time to get all my computers (over a year). No to the monitor. Not closed caption which is terrible. Also placed in a poor location in the room, so [the monitor is] pretty useless if the sun is shining.  
Both, I did spend most of this school year without a reliable monitor. The staff did everything possible to remedy the situation, but I think we had a bad batch of monitors as I was not the only teacher with this problem.
Yes and No – They all need more memory! Plus they’re slow-I guess, because of memory. I’d really like 20-30 laptop for my room and 2-3 G4 (Macs). I need scanners and color printers.

No

No, I only have one computer and one printer. There is another computer in the classroom but the monitor needs repair or replacement. I was under the impression that I was entitled to five computers.
No, half of the computers are refurbished computers that tend to crash often.
No - However, suggest CD-RW drives and/or Zip drives be included for backup, archiving and sharing. Back up image of machines on a D drive that can restore original configuration with a floppy disk like 2882 machines.  
No – I need more CD drives so that students are able to access information available to them on CDs that I have in classroom sets.
No, I need the guy to come back and replace the broken computers. And I need more.
No. As I said, I'd like a computer for every student in the class. Then we could work together, as a class, to improve writing.
No. I could use at least 10 more computers.
No. They need to give me more memory and fix the computers!
No - As I've said before, how do I share 6 computers with 30 students, when it takes each student so long? I have not yet tried out the Alphasmarts.

 

 

 

Software

Is the software that you have been given by UD appropriate to your needs? 

Please describe/comment:

 

Yes

Yes. Yes, my needs are met and I have not heard students complain either.
Yes. We could use more PageMaker; depending on how many computers we can put it on.
Yes. Again, abundant.
Yes. Could I get a replacement for the world maps disc? Any grant writing software for proposal/work flow charts available?
Yes, we use the PowerPoint, word processing, and other programs regularly.
Yes - CD-ROMs and African Encarta/Encyclopedias have added interest to my lessons. It’s been very enriching.
Yes, thus far it is fine, but I am a novice.
Yes - The kids seem to be able to do most of what they need to do. Sometimes students especially in my ELD 5 class want to work on projects for their science or history class--they seem to be able to find what they want. So far, no one has asked to work on math problems on the computer.
Yes – Great staff!
Yes – I currently have more than I know how to use.
Yes – I have been able to incorporate what they’ve given me into my classroom technology resources.
Yes – I have four computers and if I were more organized that should work. I had five but one doesn’t work.
I just have the basic software-nothing special.
Yes – There is never enough software at the rate it is becoming available!
Yes - MS Office software is great, but we need other things.  
Yes - The software has been very valuable to me but I wish there were more time for training in its practical use.  
So far, I do not need anything more than what Urban Dreams has given me, except maybe something that would play DVDs. This, however, would be a luxury I feel. I am satisfied now.
Yes and No – I need more the full Word Program with clipart and the word version of presentation or something similar to Print Shop.
Yes - Publisher is a wonderful software application that I use.  

 

No

No. History demands students to visit places, learn about countries and their cultures. Having CD-ROM encyclopedias would be a great help.
No - We have supplemented it with software purchased through Digital High School (vocab, literature, SAT prep...)
No - Need an easy upgrade policy for operating systems, software. When 2882 computers were delivered at school they were more advanced than Urban Dreams machines. UD machines should have been upgraded to 2000 with Office XP as well so we can be more standardized.  

 

Additional Resources Needed 

What additional resources, materials, and/or trainings do you currently need to utilize technology in your classroom?
 
The training is ongoing, routine, and consistent in my classroom.
Somehow, I was shipped over by the large-TV installation person and so I am still functioning with the smaller overhead TV supplied by Oakland Tech. I have been assured that this will be rectified soon.
I would like to learn more about navigating the Internet and finding information.  
I need to continue attending training that is being provided. I would especially benefit from the one-on-one coaching I am able to receive from staff.  
I need someone to analyze a lesson and show how to put it together with technology. We always see the finished project, but not the steps used to create it. For instance, do I even know how to download?  
It would be nice to have advanced training on Gales online database so I can better assist teachers and students on all its functions. Also, I’m interested in learning Flash. Students tell me that I need to learn it to improve Skyline’s library web site. Students use the library web site for research purposes.  
More tech training and examples of how other teachers are using technology.  
None, but more gadgets would be nice. Such as, scanners, digi-camera, PRINTER TONER...I should not have to pay out of my own pocket to bring engaging lessons to my students  
An Internet connection for the other two computers in the back of my room.  
The one-on-one help with my projects. The group trainings for computer literacy (which I still feel inadequate for). The historical presentations for inspiration.  
I would like additional practical training on writing and implementing classroom units as part of the curriculum. I have worked with Mr. V. on units in the past and he's been very helpful. I just wish I had more time to devote to writing unit instruction plans.  
None, the UD staff is wonderful. All I need is more time to make more use of these wonderful materials.
I need time! Above time, I still need help determining how to more consistently have my students use technology as a part of regular lessons rather than as an adjunct activity. I need to know how best to use 4 computers with 20 students.
Networking iMacs to a PC-based network continues to frustrate me.
I need instruction in computer application; word processing and research. Like I said on the last page theme based instructions in small groups would be useful. e.g. each Teacher have in mind one person’s biography. They would like to research thoroughly. Then UD staff can take us through all the different web-sites and show us how to use the printer to copy articles, etc. Also-instruction on changing ink cartridges would be helpful.
I still need to work with Access, or another database. My student-written book review database has not gotten off the ground
I'd like training in specific software as well as how to convey that training to my students. For instance, we all know how to do word processing, but do we know all the capabilities of a word processing program? I have yet to receive all the equipment promised.
It would help if I could get more computers, speakers for the computers and computer software, like tutorial for some programs, encyclopedia, and a color printer.
I would like to participate in another writing workshop like what we had last summer. This is very "hands-on," which is what I need to use the creative side of my brain along with staff expertise.
I'd like every student to have a computer then we could do all our classwork on the screen. This would allow me to work more closely with individual students.
Functional hook-up and regular needs assessment of one machinery (as someone who knows how to function without the technology, it is easier to ignore a problem rather than seek help-for this reason I would like ongoing check-up).

"Web page design"

"Curriculum planning time"

"Training on how to use the Net TV for more than just watching movies"

 

 

"More Alpha Smarts (30) would be great."

"Training in troubleshooting."

"Other? You don’t always know what you need if you never had it."

 

 

 

 

 

Other Technology Resources

Do you have technology resources in your classroom other those provided by Urban Dreams?
 
Yes. Two computers from Digital High School at Oakland HS and 1 Mac for the Core Lit Project (belonging to another teacher with whom I share the room).
Yes. Media Academy invests heavily in student empowering technologies.
Yes, I have provided my own VCR with a backup VCR and monitor since UD's have proven unreliable at times.
Yes. Not exactly in my classroom but in the journalism crevice, a small cubbyhole where our production team creates the school newspaper. We have a tabloid printer, a large monitor, a video camcorder (digital) and a few other things.
Yes. I have some computers from Digital High Schools.
Yes. Intel Teach to future - additional support from Urban Dreams.
Yes, I have an over head projector.
Yes - Four new Dell Pentium 4s, purchased for yearbook. 2 scanners, digital camera, ZIP drives, all purchased for the newspaper.
Yes – We have a computer lab w/10 IBM computers
Yes. We won a grant last year from the state through "Digital HS." Only a couple of things have arrived (1 computer and a DVD player). Some of the funding will go to staff training rather than equipment. I also expect some more computers (Macs instead of PCs)
Yes – One computer that has been rebuilt provided by an organization. No printer, no CD ??
Yes, two additional computers.
Yes – Outdated computers (Mac’s)
Yes – one computer and one printer
Yes – One computer provided by the school (but repaired my [Urban Dreams]).
Yes – I had a smaller NET/TV monitor and a few older unreliable computers that I “scrounged-up” form OTX and other places.
Yes – One computer but no cartridges now that the printer’s dry.
Yes – Skyline library has 22 computers available for student use. Most of these computers were purchased with Digital High funds.
Yes – I use Adobe PageMaker to create the school yearbook.
Yes - My VCR and computers are UD equipment. Oh, I do have one great computer from Digital High School  
All districts should have full fledge computer access for every student in every class, and not just because of some great program like Urban Dreams, but because that is simply the standard for our systems and institutions of education.  
As far as I know, all the resources I have are from Urban Dreams.
Even my phone is broken?!?! (for six weeks, now)
No, however, we do have a computer lab now on site.
No. Digital High is at one school site however, UD supplied me with everything I have to date.
No – I had some, but gave them away because of UD.
No – None, none, none

 

 

 

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