While driving to meet my Mobile Unit students at Eva Perry Library this morning I had a rush of excitement. I realized that my students would soon be helping other students and adults to learn to use the Internet. When I arrived, I made an announcement over the library PA system that the SWAT Team mobile unit was available at the computers to help with Internet research in Youth Services. Shortly thereafter, a young fourth grader came to the computer, apprehensively, with his mom. Three SWAT Team students, Jordan, Lauren, and Steven helped Curtis narrow his search to locate information for his fourth grade assignment. After asking a few open-ended questions they realized Curtis only needed a picture of the North Carolina symbol. The SWAT Students directed Curtis and gave him some suggestions of what to type into the Search Engine. Curtis and mom were thrilled that they found what they needed within minutes of asking for help!

As I sit back and reflect on this moment of triumph for Curtis, I see the fruits of our labors paying off but more importantly, learning is occurring. It took several months to train the Mobile Unit students to be ready to work with the public. There were no pre-made lesson plans for this concept, but a proposal of ideas presented byme to the parents and staff of Eva Perry library. Soon our mission crystallized and dedicated kids, parents and adults worked together to make it happen. Every Saturday morning, for months, parents, adults and kids had meetings. We asked each other many questions, solved problems and made plans. We now have resources, lessons, schedules, computers and time. We are there to serve and to help other students and adults learn how to use the Internet and seek information from other sources. The learning dynamics are multi-faceted. Students are helping students, adults are helping children, adults are helping adults, and students are helping adults. Everyone is working together in a natural learning environment for a purpose.

My ideal is to reach out from the four walls that define a classroom in our traditional school setting, and explore all the other natural learning environments for our children. As a technology leader, I can no longer accept that the school is the only place where we can prepare our children for the skills they will need to function in the work force of tomorrow. At this point, can we really know what job opportunities will be available for them? We all want to know the answer to the question,"What should we be teaching children?" I think I have some answers!

As an educator of 18 years, I have learned there are two very basic learning needs. We all need to know how to access and understand information and we all need to know how to communicate. If we begin here, then we can understand why the SWAT Team program has been successful.

I am excited about the future and potential of the SWAT Team project extending to other natural learning environments. I also wish to tap on the remote locations across the US that could benefit from their schools having a SWAT Team to promote and enhance technology competencies and learning objectives. The five other SWAT Teams, back at the Davis Drive Elementary school site, are enriching the technology skills of their classmates and teachers. The Web Page Developers are reaching the world by sharing the activities of the school. The Computer Buddies are helping young students with the basics of computer learning. The TV/Weather Internet crew is sharing live Internet broadcasts of the weather for the entire school population. The Internet Researchers are conducting Internet searches for their busy teachers and the SWAT Central group is keeping the computers clean. I am currently in the process of linking the North Carolina Course of Study and Student and Teacher Technology Competencies with SWAT Team Learning Objectives. I feel this document will serve as a model across the nation for states that need support and suggestions for Technology Integration. I have a proven program that is marketable, replicable and has helped teachers, learners and novice technology users learn skills from children, our experts!

As a former special education teacher, I wish to continue to reach special populations. I have one special needs SWAT Team pilot site in Gastonia, North Carolina. Students with multiply handicapping conditions work with resource students at a local middle school, paired with regular education peers as a trio-support group to promote technology learning in their schools. The more involved students are the ones leaving their school building and venturing to the local middle school to give their technical support. The term "least restrictive environment" has special meaning here, but I believe all educators should be working to provide a learning structure that is least restrictive for their students. Kids getting out and helping others should be the mission of every school and community it serves! Involvement on a team like the SWAT Team builds character and self-respect.

Let's take children into the real word where they can learn, take risks, and gain the real skills needed for their personal and intellectual development. I know I will no longer be satisfied teaching in an enclosed environment. I can't go back to the confines of a classroom with minimal resources and try to teach kids what is really important!

My next mission, if given the opportunity, is to enhance the community services project of the SWAT Team Mobile Unit. I would like to see a group of students:

• Work with children who are hospital bound, and/or who are homebound, due to an inability to attend school, so they will have a peer to videoconference or email partner with.
• Work at local community centers helping the less fortunate learn basic computer skills.
• Work with parents and students in home school programs as peer consultants helping with technology support.
• Work in retirement homes helping elders email their loved ones.
• Work in business settings learning from adults as young apprentices.
• Be in any other location that can enhance and support technology learning.

As you can guess by now, my mission extends beyond just the learning of technology but enriching the value, self-worth and self-esteem of the children who are garnering recognition as the Technology Leaders in their school and communities. Whatbetter way to prepare our children for the future then to help them feel good about themselves now!

"We can no longer look at the learning of technology skills and competencies in isolation -- we have to give teachers ideas for integration. We also have a community to serve and teach technology to! I believe that the best way to help us all get connected, and meet the Goals 2000 Initiative is to empower the children to teach us all!"