Currently, many schools are undergoing changes to become more technology-based. In this era, when nearly every student owns or knows how to use smart devices, not taking advantage of electronics could be a missed opportunity. This semester and in the following school years, FC is going to begin implementing electronics in the classrooms and to the students.
Several years ago, FC began giving their teachers iPads to teach with. In the 2014-’15 school year they are going to further this by requiring students to bring their own devices to class (laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc.). Principal Todd Bennett has been preparing for this change for several years, when they began giving electronic tools to teachers.
“A couple years ago we started buying iPads for all the teachers and putting apple tvs in the classrooms, and training the teachers how to use them as instructional tools,” Bennett said. “Now all the teachers have them and all the classrooms are set up. Now most teachers are starting to use them.”
Bennett believes that electronic devices are more up to date than curriculum, because it is updated constantly, whereas textbooks are often years behind.
“The next step is getting the kids to start using electronic devices as learning tools,” Bennett said. “There is all kinds of information that is out there that is more current than a textbook. When a textbook is written, it gets adopted by the state and usually those adoptions go on for several years. For example, at our school several textbooks are quite old and there is a lot more current information out there on the internet, that?s free, that kids can access.”
Bennett feels that technology will prepare kids for college and career life in ways that textbooks cannot.
“Use of technology prepares kids for life after school,” Bennett said. “It?s important that they learn how to use those devices.”
Superintendent Debbie Siebert views technology as a tool that makes students more independent.
“We are incorporating technology as a vital instructional tool that supports student learning across the curriculum,” Siebert said. “Students will use technology to become independent researchers and self-guided learners.
Siebert is supportive of students moving to technology in the classroom, as it prepares them for the technology rich culture of the 21st century.
“Technology will facilitate student collaboration with one another and enhance their ability to create projects and complete assignments in ways not previously possible,” Siebert said. “Technology will help develop 21st century communication skills and encourage the use of critical thinking skills.”
Head of mathematics department, Michael Fenton, has been preparing for these changes and is ready to use them in his class in the next year.
“There?s a lot of things we can do in the classroom that are only possible if students have access to technology,” Fenton said. “If four kids have laptops, you can?t use certain things. But if everybody has laptops or kids are paired up together on a laptop or a tablet there?s a lot of things that we can do.”
Fenton says he will be incorporating Google documents into the classroom as a teaching tool, and to create assignments.
“My classes will be using Google docs to collaborate and have students create things,” Fenton said. “Whether it?s presentations, prompts, or viewing sample tests. Lots of different things are available if everyone has access to a device.”
The students of the school are generally looking forward to this change, while some are not so sure. Freshman Slater Wade is not sure what to expect in the coming year.
“I think it?ll be a good change,” Wade said. “But I hope it?s not confusing. Also, it might be difficult for everyone to get an electronic device. But overall, I?m sure it will be a good thing.”
On the other hand, students such as Timothy Nyberg, ?16, believe that the new system will work for the best.
“This seems like a good idea to me because now we won?t have to carry all of our books around and keep track of all this homework,” Nyberg said. “Everything will be moved to our devices, and learning will be easier. It?s smart because in this era everyone is using technology. It?s definitely a step forward.”
This writer can be reached via Twitter: @_chloemueller. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather.
For more features, read the Feb. 3 article, Warnors Theatre steps back into past.
