This year, while the students are getting used to the netbooks, many  teachers are figuring out how to work their own technological changes. With programs like Moodle and PowerSchool, some teachers are grasping concepts quickly and even exceeding expectations, while others are taking more time to master the programs. The STA administration provided technology workshops in early August tutoring the teachers on how to use the newly introduced learning methods like PowerSchool, Moodle and TurnItIn.com. According to STA theology teacher  Mary Jo Coughlin, the administration is patient with those who are struggling.

I am not a technology person,’ Coughlin said. ‘And I never will be. So I find [using the new methods] to be challenging. But what I’m finding so far, I find helpful. [The administration] is very reasonable.’

Principal of academic affairs Barbara McCormick has made the  expectations that come with the implementing of technology clear. The teachers now are to have a grasp of concepts and apply it to their teaching styles. The expectations McCormick has set is to have the teachers be able to put on their Moodle pages, a link to their syllabus on the upper, right-hand corner, have a contact information box, post their daily assignments, be able to have the students take online tests, and take attendance online. McCormick believes that this is a good level on which to start educating the teachers.

‘[The teachers] are still grappling with it, and some get the hang of it more quickly than others,’ McCormick said. ‘But we have a group of teachers who help their colleagues with [the advancements].’

With 7 members of faculty attending a workshop   in Denver, Colorado, each learned specific skills in technology. When they came back, McCormick, Ms. Mary Montag, Ms. Renee Blake, Ms. Terry Conner, Ms. Cathy McCarthy, Ms. Nan Bone and Ms. Jeanella Clark all have shown their fellow members how to use their own technology. Clark agrees that the process is slow, but is a strong advocate for the changes, even if some members of the faculty need more help than others.

‘It’s going to take time,’ Clark said. ‘And I tend to use technology more than most people anyways… So I can help teachers. I don’t know all the answers, but I can definitely find some way of getting them.’

In her classroom, Clark is implementing techniques of teaching that STA has never seen before. Creating a ClassWiki Page, students are able to teach other students concepts, and learn them more thoroughly. Using a Live Scribe Pen, Clark is able to record entire lessons and have students study lectures whenever they need help. Posting the notes on her Moodle page that she shows on her SMARTBoard, Clark’s students can follow along with the lesson.

‘I love having students looking at [the lesson] while I’m talking about it,’ Clark said. ‘It’s a lot more accessible and user-friendly for students.’

According to McCormick, the administration is looking to the future with the technological advancements like the ones that Clark is making with a goal that STA explore the boundaries of the classroom learning environment. Someday, McCormick sees STA learning outside of the boundaries even of Main and 57 Street.

‘My goal is more learning and teaching,’ McCormick said. ‘I see us able to move beyond the walls of the classroom environment. . . Even beyond the green space of the campus.’