The Office of Instructional Technology (OIT) is committed to the improvement of teaching and learning by linking the appropriate information and learning technologies to education. OIT provides leadership in the use of computers and related technologies, working collaboratively with schools and departments to ensure the effective use of technology across the disciplines. Since technology will enhance the learning process to better prepare our students to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges in a changing world, the Office of Instructional Technology has created the Technology Literacy Standards guide to enable teachers to effectively integrate technology into all curricular areas.

Currently, the district utilizes almost fourteen thousand (13,750) computers for instructional purposes. Over ninety percent of our schools have been networked to further ensure the infusion of technology in the classroom. The remaining schools have cable modem Internet access connecting labs and classrooms. Approximately 9,500 computers located in classrooms and labs have internet access.

Students at University High School, Technology High School, Barringer Ninth Grade Success Academy, Camden Middle School and Maple Avenue School have access to world wide resources via interactive television (ITV). These ITV classrooms allow students to participate in courses and activities in collaboration with other schools in our district, other districts, colleges and program providers such as the Liberty Science Center. Through our ITV labs, Newark students continue to engage in activities with NASA, the Smithsonian Institute, and the Library of Congress.

The Office of Instructional Technology continues to provide staff development to our teachers assisting them with the integration of technology in all subject areas. As our teachers become more proficient in using technology as an instructional tool, students begin to see relevance in their education, and thus become highly motivated to succeed.

Additionally over 500 eBoards, which are virtual bulletin boards, have been developed to allow the entire school community including parents, teachers and students access to related data. Parental eBoards have been created in every school giving parents access to up to the minute information about their child’s school. Language Arts, Mathematics and Science assessment eBoards received the National eBoard of Excellence Award. These eBoards were accessed over 90,000 times by students and parents providing information and instruction related to the various state wide assessments.