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DULUTH, GA - Jan 22, 2009 - Florida’s State Demonstration School shows educators first-hand how technology such as Classworks™ from Curriculum Advantage enhances teaching and learning
When educators attend the Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando this month, they will have the opportunity to “go back to school” and tour a Florida middle school. This cutting-edge facility, however, is unlike any school most educators attended. Ocoee Middle School is Florida’s State Demonstration School, a break-the-mold, technology-based facility that is changing the way teachers teach and students learn. FETC participants will tour Ocoee Middle School on Friday, Jan. 23 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Ocoee Middle School, which was originally built in 1908 and is part of Orange County Public Schools, was selected to be a technology demonstration school for the state of Florida in 1997. After undergoing major renovations, it opened the doors to its new building in fall 2000.
“Today’s children are not the same as we were,” said Sharyn Gabriel, principal of Ocoee Middle School. “They’re wired differently. We’re obligated to try to reach them in the most efficient and best way possible to improve their learning. Technology is clearly that way. We’re excited to partner with FETC to show educators from across the country how we can use technology to engage students and measurably improve achievement.”
To develop the model demonstration facility, Ocoee Middle School was assigned to the SMART Schools Clearinghouse and designed from the ground up with student learning in mind. Today, the school features a layout that emphasizes the community aspect of learning and an array of technologies in every classroom, including an infrared audio enhancement system, wireless microphones, ceiling mounted projectors and document cameras, interactive whiteboards, and a variety of software including Classworks™ comprehensive K-12 instructional software.
Further, Ocoee Middle School continues to stay on the cutting edge by piloting the Classworks™ Web Edition, which the school will begin piloting next month for Curriculum Advantage™ Inc. As one of 17 beta test sites across the nation, Ocoee Middle School will test the latest version of the award-winning instructional software, which includes significant new content and management system enhancements.
“We enjoy trying new technologies to see what will engage students and to help other schools make the most of their limited resources,” said Gabriel.
About Curriculum Advantage
Curriculum Advantage Inc. (www.curriculumadvantage.com) is based in Duluth, Ga. Curriculum Advantage’s flagship product is Classworks, a network-based system of K-12 reading and mathematics curriculum and learning tools that currently comprise over 5,000 hours of curriculum. Its activities are correlated to national and state learning standards and state tests, and include prescriptive and summative assessment, remediation and reporting tools. Classworks Language Learner Series, another part of the program, addresses English as Second Language learning with content that focuses on auditory, visual and tactile/kinesthetic components.
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