Technology has changed the world forever, and it is quickly changing the classroom as well. Krop, one of the more technologically integrated schools of Dade-County, successfully uses technology to aid students.

The electronic grade book, implemented on Krop’s opening year, has taken much needed weight off of many teachers’ shoulders. Ruth Smith, head of the ESE Department said, “I didn’t feel comfortable in the initial workshops, but when I started using the [grade book] software, it was so easy and saved so much time that I quickly became comfortable.”

Existing electronic grade books save time for teachers and allow students and their parents easier access to student report cards, but future electronic grade books might do even more.

Doug Lidiak, Executive Vice President of Excelsior Software, which makes the electronic grade books used by Miami-Dade County teachers, explains that Excelsior is “now developing a palm pilot version that would allow teachers to take attendance and post grades wherever they are.”

He also speculates that schools with bar-coded student ID badges, like Krop, could have students scan their badges when entering class; attendance would be tabulated automatically without taking up class time, according to PBS Teachersource.

In Debra Simmons’ business systems and technology classes, students are using the Internet to research and write on a future career of their choice using Yahoo.com’s occupational handbook. When writing the actual report, “students will develop and utilize their skills on Microsoft Word and Power Point to present their completed projects,” said Simmons.

A budget analysis made by the students will also implement skills in Microsoft’s Excel spreadsheet. “I used to barely know how to turn on a computer, now I feel extremely confident using the Internet, spreadsheets, and word processor. I feel like I’m finally ready for the real world,” Inga Lang, a business student said.

Manuel Quiroga’s autism division of exceptional education class also uses technology to aid in student’s education by using math and English computer programs once students have completed their work. “These programs help aid the student’s in developing certain skills,” says Yvette Walker and Patricia Burley, Quiroga’s assistants.