Hinsdale High School Teachers Association

I like to think that District 86 tries to offer the best of what’s available to our students and faculty. In some things they do. But, in the most recent upgrades of our informational technology program, the District has not provided the best. In some cases, they have not created a system that is even operational.

At the end of last school year, the faculty was told that each classroom would have an LCD projector to project images and video onto our screens large enough for the students to be able to see. The educational benefit to such a situation can be enormous. Especially in the sciences, where I teach, the quantity and quality of computer and internet based demonstrations and interactive lessons are incredible.

When school began in August, many of us were very disappointed in how badly the new technology was working. Of course, no one wants to take the blame for implementing a flawed program, but we were promised that things would get better.

They didn’t. As of December, 12 Science classrooms and labs still have technology problems that range from annoying (a stray cord just hanging from the projector into the middle of the room) to inoperative (the LCD simply doesn’t work).

I know that education has happened for thousands of years without LCD projectors. Trust me, I’ve taught for most of them. But LCD projectors and the lessons that students can get because of them, are miles ahead of textbook demos or teacher explanations on their own. They are, simply, the best we can offer students. And because of financial stinginess, or bad planning, or whatever else, the students are getting it.

At football practice, I always encourage my students to give their best every time they walk onto the field. I just wish I could be giving them what I know is best for them.

Tom Ludovice

President HHSTA

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