Exploring Instructional and Access Technologies
Session Summary
(M10B)
Web-based Applications for Schools
Lori Elliott
|
Web-based computer applications provide schools an "anywhere, anytime" approach to many school functions. The Phoenix Day School for the Deaf (PDSD) uses the following: Power School - our student information system which also allows parents to check online for their child's grades, schedules, and attendance. eIEP Pro2 - a full case management and IEP program. Cox Education Network - a suite of software that follows the Arizona State Standards and is grade level appropriate for Kindergarten through Twelfth grade. Arizona Schools Services through Educational Technology - a Website for faculty that provides a technology assessment tool for staff, lesson plans, educational resources, streaming video, and continuing education courses. All of these programs can be used at school and home. Teachers can take online classes, enter students' grades, write an IEP, and look up student information any time they want. All of these programs are paid for with an annual fee; no onsite servers are needed. Technical support from experts in each area is available by phone, email, and online. There are no local installations or upgrades necessary. Each of these products has been customized to meet the needs of PDSD. Security, backup and restore are all done by the vendors. The use of these types of programs has helped to reduce paperwork and make teachers' work easier. |