District Technology Integration

Article Submitted By: Kelly Zarate, Information Literacy Specialist

As part of a district-wide initiative, the San Marcos CISD Curriculum and Instruction Department has implemented the Engage2Learn Model this year. This student-centered instructional approach empowers students to develop problem-solving skills while collaborating with peers to craft projects that engage them in meaningful, real world contexts. Central to the design model is an intentional effort to boost student achievement through focused research and soft skill development in areas such as communication, reflection, and technology integration.

Many students have reported an increased sense of ownership and enjoyment in their learning experiences as the year has unfolded with Engage2learn. The model’s implementation has been piloted with the first cohort of trained teacher-facilitators for 2014-2015.

SMCISD celebrates the use of new integrated technologies and has made significant investments to sustain this effort. Through the combined efforts of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Greg Rodriguez, Director of Instructional Technology Ronda Stonecipher, and the District Technology Integration staff, twenty-two teachers were awarded with Chromebooks to use in their classrooms for enhancement of instruction and technology learning among their students. The awards were made to teachers at De Zavala Elementary School, Bowie Elementary School, and San Marcos High School.

Teachers who applied and received the award, articulated the unique ways that the technology would help in continued design of engaging lessons. They also committed to professional creativity and planning that would facilitate effective Engage2Learn experiences for students. Award recipients were asked to continue on a journey of reflective measurement for positive outcomes among learners as more technology is introduced to their classrooms.