Technology growth a continuing priority for Horry County Schools

When budget talks for Horry County Schools resume, technology will be on the discussion list and decisions could include a revamp in positions to keep pace with innovations outside the classroom.

The subject of instructional technology support arose at a recent school board meeting where concerns were raised for future budget discussions. Jeff Riddle, HCS chief financial officer, said there is a need for more school staff members who not only know how to use technology, but who know how to integrate it into the curriculum for students.

HCS Superintendent Cindy Elsberry said every school, no matter its size, has one media specialist and a curriculum specialist. They are asked to have expert technology skills, but there is a learning curve for those who are still developing those skills. The district does have technology specialists for repairs and maintenance, but they service a region and travel from school to school as needed.

Elsberry said there could be some repurposing of positions, possibly a combination of repair and instruction, but that technology has to move from teacher to student to engage them and mirror how they are learning outside the classroom.

“We need to embed technology [in the curriculum],” Elsberry said. “We want them to actually put their hands on it, explore it, feel it and sense it.”

Board members were given a technology presentation in November that outlined some of the gains being made by the district.

One of the items dealt with the growing use of technology in the district with free online education platforms such as Edmodo. The service allows many forms of interaction, including class assignments and grading, discussions and content sharing. On Oct. 1, there were 300 teacher accounts and 6,600 for students. In less than two months, those numbers jumped to 1,200 accounts for teachers and 17,000 for students.

The presentation also illustrated the growth that has been seen in the district’s technology fair, which will be held for the third year on April 4.

The fair quickly outgrew its first venue at the Barefoot Resort Conference Center, where 260 students in grades three to 12 were entered along with 25 teachers, representing 21 schools. Last year, the fair relocated to the Hilton Myrtle Beach to accommodate entries from 400 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and 60 teachers from 37 schools.

This year’s technology fair will be held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Entries are anticipated from every school in the district, and the fair will feature its first middle school LEGO robotics competition.

Edi Cox, HCS director for online learning and instructional technology, was one of the presenters and said technology and instructional information must be talked about in concert for 21st century learning.

“We have to talk not just about hardware, but about what that hardware does for student achievement and engagement in the classroom,” said Cox, who oversees the Horry County Virtual School, another choice for parents and students in grades nine through 12.

The virtual school is in its third year of providing supplemental courses for students who need the flexibility for various reasons, such as scheduling conflicts, and for those who want to graduate early, Cox said.

She said this also is the pilot year for the district’s full-time virtual program, which can accommodate 50 students. Guidance counselors are the point of contact with parents and students who want to sign up at the beginning of the school year. The program is for qualified students who need to work in an online setting for reasons such as illness or a family situation.

“Many students have reported that online education is as difficult, if not more difficult, than face-to-face classes because of the self-motivation needed,” Cox said. “They need to be able to work independently, and it’s not the right choice for every student.”