UPGRADES WE CONTRIBUTED – Jefferson County Joint Vocational School received a $1 million technology upgrade to enhance instruction through distance learning.
BLOOMINGDALE – The Jefferson County Joint Vocational School is breaking new ground in education after installing more than $1 million worth of technology to expand students’ learning capabilities.
Technology coordinator Ron Peach said the site is now fully equipped with interactive television screens and other hardware designed to network with universities and other entities. Work began this spring and installation was completed by Solutionz Inc. The technology was funded through a mix of federal funds and local grants. In January, JVS received $854,842 from the fiscal year 2023 Distance Education and Telehealth Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service. The school also made a 15 percent match totaling about $156,800, bringing the total to $1,011,647.
Peach said the upgraded system will connect the JVS with other educational institutions while providing high-tech support for networking. Classrooms and labs will be able to interact with universities and other institutions, while similar opportunities will be available in the cafeteria and training room. The technology is connected to the internet and each display has a Windows 11 Pro computer built into it, as well as interactive software for writing and note-taking.
“Every classroom is ready and there will be a training session for all teachers on the new devices on August 19,” Peach said, adding that officials decided to do the updates immediately rather than gradually. “We sped it up over the summer and did it all at once, but we could have done it over three years. I’m excited to see how teachers use the new technology.”
Currently, several program labs will work with educational partners in remote sessions, but the hope is that all classes will take advantage of this opportunity. Partnerships include the culinary arts program with West Virginia Northern Community College, health technologies with St. Louis University School of Medicine, criminal justice with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and cosmetology with Salon Centric. Peach said the Sheriff’s Department and partner schools have also received equipment, while St. Louis University is already using its own. Students can begin their 21st century learning experience when they return on Aug. 21.
In addition, guest speakers can give lectures without being on campus. The common area has been equipped with two large screens and two laser projectors, as well as cameras, microphones and speakers. The system is controlled by a touchscreen panel in the room. He noted that it can also be used for other events such as school assemblies and graduation ceremonies.
“It opens up more opportunities for our students and they can receive remote instruction from professors at universities through distance learning,” Peach continued. “It’s always beneficial to hear more views from professionals and I hope that eventually we can bring more programs online for distance learning.”
He has sparked more interest, saying it is a long-term goal to improve instruction for students in all academic and vocational programs, from core subjects to JVS’s 16 hands-on courses: animal science management, auto body crash research, auto service technology, carpentry, computer networking technologies, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, early childhood education, electrical trades, health technologies, heavy equipment operation, multimedia and design, electromechanics, transition to work and welding.
“Once they see the benefits of the four current programs, they can integrate them into their own programs. There are no additional costs and the equipment is already installed.”
