Donna Lewis
Please describe your profession.: I’m a teacher in the Live Oak School District. I am currently piloting a technology program that will be fully implemented next school year. All teachers will be using Promethean Boards as a tech learning tool for all students by next school year.
How does your work depend on internet access and networked collaboration?: Students are utilizing the internet approximately 80% of the school day in my clasroom: Live Oak School District. Teachers are beginning to use Promethean Boards to teach; this requires 100% networked collaboration as well as internet access constantly throughout the school day. Every teacher in the Live Oak School District will have a Promethean Board by next school year. Our goal toward technological literacy for all students would be enhanced by greater bandwidth. It is our hope Google will understand Santa Cruz is a unique and dedicated community, with talented educators who are dedicated to teaching computer literacy. Live Oak School District has the tech tools; we now need greater bandwidth capacity.
Students also have access to computer laptop carts, where each students has a laptop at their desk. They are researching throughout the day and greatly depend on internet access.
How might your work be changed by having much greater bandwidth capacity in Santa Cruz (i.e. increased revenue, customer base, access to talent, etc.)?: First, please see my answer above.
My work as a teacher would be changed by embracing, engaging, and enabling Generation Z (my students) to learn within the perimeters of their own culture. As teachers, we use the Google search engine consistently throughout the school day. Student created podcasts, movies, and other research projects are the main activity within my classroom (as well as other Live Oak School District classrooms). Additionally, there are several after school tech clubs that would be changed with greater bandwidth capacity. Google would be enabling students in Santa Cruz to fully access technology, as needed for success in their (and our) future. To view student podcasts from my class, please see my work web site.
What are the attributes of Santa Cruz that support your work and life choices (i.e. lifestyle, climate, business climate, etc.): Santa Cruz has maintained a climate for cutting edge action, environmentally, educationally, and socially. The University of California (as well as Cabrillo) maintains an academic foundation that upholds the threshold driving new research ahead of the game. However, being in the shadows of Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz sometimes is left behind current technological advances. We certainly would fully utilize any technological support we receive; the population is ready for it. In sum, engaged community research and the ability to quickly access the most current information greatly assists my work as an educator.
What are the most important things that come to mind when you think about the future of Santa Cruz?: Santa Cruz would be enhanced and be able to better assist (work in partnership) with Silicon Valley with enhanced networked collaboration.
Given this time of economic crisis, Live Oak School District is taking a stand to buy Promethean Boards for every classroom in the district. This speaks volumes about the dedication Live Oak District of Santa Cruz has toward its citizens, its students, and its overall interest in looking toward the future. People of Santa Cruz work hard at improving their lives; people of Santa Cruz then pass along and share their growth with others. Within the 35 years I’ve lived in Santa Cruz, I’d say “personal improvement” and “sharing resources” is one *trademark* of our community.
