THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 26, 1996 TAG: 9605240201
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KIA MORGAN ALLEN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 58 lines
Teachers and faculty at First Colonial High School have had the benefits of wireless communications in their classrooms for the past year courtesy of 360 Communications.
Students, parents and others expressed their gratitude for ClassLink, a telecommunications system that allows teachers and administrators to use cellular phones throughout the school.
360 Communications used First Colonial as a test site for the new program last September. On Thursday, the parents and administrators received news that their communications link will be renewed for a second year.
The project is a pilot program between the school and the company, making First Colonial the first school in the nation to have the ClassLink system, company officials say.
Under the program, 140 teachers, administrators, custodians and coaches each have a cellular phone. There is no charge to the school division for the phones or air time.
``It has improved communication not only between teachers and parents, but also among faculty itself,'' said Ruth Barco, the school's librarian, who keeps her cellular phone handy at all times.
As part of the experiment, 360 Communications kept close track of the school's use of the portable cellular phones. A report by the company stated that the system has increased teacher productivity, enhanced communication between parents and teachers, and motivated students through parental involvement.
``The system is a big help,'' said 17-year-old Laine Brammer, an 11th grader.
``Often teachers are difficult to get in touch with. You can contact them on the spot quickly.''
Jeff Gardner, the president of 360 Communications, said the company started the program to get involved in education.
``This was a great opportunity to show the world what our company can do. It's very empowering.''
Gardner said having ClassLink not only provides instant response to emergencies, but enhances parent/teacher relationships. Parents are able to reach teachers directly to check on their children.
From access to a student's attendance status to reporting on discipline problems, teachers can report and fact-check any information.
``We're really pleased to be able to get to one level (of technology) and get comfortable with it,'' said Stephan Charton, principal. ``We are excited about going to the next level.''
During the next year, First Colonial plans to upgrade technology by introducing laptop computers that will link to the Internet. 360 Communications also will sponsor this project. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by KIA MORGAN ALLEN
``It has improved communication not only between teachers and
parents, but also among faculty itself,'' said Ruth Barco, the
school's librarian, who keeps her cellular phone handy at all times. by CNB