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21S In Action

JPPSS School Board Visits Matas Elementary School

On a recent visit to Rudolph Matas Elementary School, Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) board members Paul Johnson, Gene Katsanis and Martin Marino witnessed first-hand the benefits of the school's participation in the Cisco 21st Century School Initiative known as 21S. Just over one year ago, Bill Fowler, Cisco 21S Director, arrived at the school and presented a plan to move Matas Elementary into the 21st Century. Pat Helmstetter, principal of Matas Elementary remarked, "Bill had a plan and had thought through everything. It all went as clock work". Cisco 21S grants help JPPSS to bring many new or improved technologies into the school such as school security systems, Internet Protocol (IP) telephones, new computer programs, interactive white boards, and classroom audio amplification systems. Marino commented, "What would have taken us twenty years, Cisco did it in two years."

When Katsanis asked about the teachers' willingness to accept and embrace the new technology, Assistant Principal Liz Gurtner explained, "We haven't had any resistance. All of the teachers want to be involved. We have 100 percent participation."

Katsanis and Johnson were impressed with the impact that the interactive white boards are having. The boards, made by Promethean, allow teachers and students to use a variety of media on an electronic surface. Using electronic pens, the information can be easily manipulated, stored, and reused. The board is an interactive extension of the teacher's laptop computer. Katsanis remarked, "I was very impressed by how interactive the students were with the information being taught. The Promethean boards grabbed the attention of the students. It gave the students the visual stimulation that they grew up with. This interaction made the students stand up and speak before the class. Experiencing this and learning to speak before a group teaches self confidence and social skills in addition to the technology skills. I was particularly 'blown away' by the 4 year old pre-k students using the boards. This is the future of education in Jefferson Parish Public Schools."

One unexpected benefit came from the classroom audio amplification systems, purchased as part of the Cisco 21S grant. In addition to being more attentive in class because they can hear over the hum of the air-conditioning, the students also love to read out loud using the microphone. "They are more engaged and feel like stars, speaking into the microphone", said Gurtner.

In addition to re-cabling and wiring the school for improved network infrastructure, the school was also wired for a closed-circuit TV system. The TVs and DVDs had previously been donated, but could not be used without the necessary infrastructure. The system is now in place and the students have started producing daily broadcasts, book reports and mini academic segments. Plans for next year include student assignments as reporters, editors and videographers. Gurtner said, "Students are more attentive during the morning announcements and much more interested when they see themselves and their friends on TV."

Gurtner and Helmstetter are both looking forward to next year. Helmstetter remarked, "We look forward to more staff development to increase our skills with the Promethean boards and taking it all to the next level!"

Cisco designs, manufactures, and sells IP-based networking and other products relating to the communications and information technology industry worldwide.

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