Odessa-Montour  highlighted in the new issue of Scholastic Administrator!  Click on the cover to see the article.

   The Odessa Montour School District views information & communication technologies as a fundamental tool of education and we are committed to providing access to carefully selected equipment and staff development opportunities. We have developed a phased approach which smoothly integrates staff development efforts and equipment acquisitions. This plan embraces an 'immersion' strategy which will minimize incompatibility issues while enabling real integration into everyday teaching and learning.

   We provide staff development that establishes proficiency and awareness among all our staff. This is supported by the acquisition of hardware that allows easy access for all students and staff. Ongoing workshops and other staff development programs will help our entire staff make effective use of existing technology while also preparing to take advantage of the technology of the future.

   Current initiatives include:

 Interactive whiteboard technology that allows staff to create media rich lesson plans with instant feedback from students.  This exciting technology started  appearing in the district during the 2006-2007 school year.  Click on the picture to go to the Promethean World official website to learn more.  Click here for a video demonstration. 

On demand digital media.  During the summer of 2006 the district purchased the Safari Montage video server.  The Safari Montage allows students access to over 2000 broadcast quality videos that cover every content area and grade level from nationally renowned content providers.  The system even houses student created video productions and may allow the district to broadcast live television and school events to each classroom in the future.    Click on the picture to learn more.

Second grade teachers at B.C. Cate Elementary are excited to have the opportunity to teach using handheld computers thanks to a Twin Tiers Coalition grant.  The Palm handheld computers are dedicated to practicing basic math facts using academic games of speed.  During a testing phase to gauge student impact, teacher found that students found the games to be a fun way to practice their number facts.  Teachers are excited to be able to provide on demand access to technology where students can interact immediately without the need to go to the computer lab.  Using the handheld computers will provide yet another way for the district to build student's mastery of the current New York State math standards of learning.   

The Odessa-Montour district is also part of a developing initiative to bring exciting new learning opportunities to our students and staff through the use of state of the art distance learning technologies, enabling them to see and talk with experts, educators and peers from around the world.  Our plan is to expand the usage of the videoconferencing technologies we have by creating many more opportunities for our staff and students. 

The district continues to provide students with instruction in Computer Aided Design and our High School yearbook class utilizes desktop publishing to generate the yearbook.  All students in grades 6 - 12 have their own network accounts to allow them to save their classwork to a secure, backed up location.  Future plans include integrating robotics into teamwork based problem solving learning modules, student produced digital movies, and student created media to be included in the yearbook.