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Living in the Silicon Valley, it's easy to think technology has wormed its way through every aspect of life. And, for the most part, that is what's happening in classrooms as well.
Beginning Jan. 19, a new half-hour television show, Silicon Valley High, will demonstrate how teachers in this county are integrating technology in their curriculum--as well as educate the students it puts in the spotlight.
The half-hour program, which will air on PBS station KTEH, local cable access stations and in area classrooms, is produced by Silicon Valley Instructional Television of the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
"A lot of people use the words 'Silicon Valley,' but that can be a lot of smoke and mirrors," said Laura Kinley, producer of the series. "We want to show real teachers using real technology right now." The episodes will include information on teachers' lesson plans and strategies, with tips and interviews available on the companion website.
Silicon Valley High will debut on Jan. 19 and air every Wednesday from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
The slate of upcoming shows includes cameos by several local high schools. The second episode will feature a semiconductor manufacturing process that is demonstrated in a class at Monta Vista High School. Intel Corporation helped with this lesson, called "Workforce Development Institute." This particular episode will show students learning how to etch designs onto computer chips using a method called photolithography.
The fourth episode will showcase students from Fremont and Cupertino high schools learning computer networking and repair in a regional occupational program. Kinley said a graduate of this program, who was a special education student, now holds down a job taking apart and repairing computers.
The show intends to highlight technology integrated with core subjects like language arts, math and social studies in kindergarten through 12th grade. Upcoming episodes will include activities like a middle school history class that watches live archeological digs over the Internet.
Kinley said that she chose to showcase programs that came to her attention after advertising the show in county schools. Five "stakeholders," including students, parents and someone from the tech industry, had to agree on the merits of the curriculum nominated for the show. Shows were taped in late 2004, and may be distributed nationally.
To submit a technology story for possible participation, contact Kinley at 408.453.6524 or email siliconvalleyhigh@sccoe.org. For more information, visit siliconvalleyhigh.sccoe.org.
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Photograph courtesy of Laura Kinle