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New technology makes learning SMART

BY BECKY MALKOVICH, THE SOUTHERN

Sunday, February 3, 2008 10:13 PM CST

AKIN - Thanks to a generous technology grant, some classrooms at Akin Grade School have a computer for every student - and then some.

"My largest class has 14 students, but most only have 11 or 12 students," teacher David Dorton said. "I have 14 computers in my classroom so I have more than enough for every student."

And that's just the way he likes it.

"Computer technology has created the biggest change - for the good - I've ever seen in the classroom. Sometimes, especially in the social studies area, the subject can be kind of boring for the students. I can stand up here talking about the Civil War forever and they can listen forever, but with the new technology, I can actually bring a battle into the classroom," he said as he quickly pulled up a Civil War video on his SMART Board, which basically functions as a huge computer screen. "This technology opens up the world to my students."

The rural Franklin County elementary school, with a student population of 102, was awarded the federal Enhancing Education Through Technology grant, administered by the Illinois State Board of Education, along with several other schools and so far has been able to acquire nearly $300,000 worth of technology equipment and training.

The grant has allowed the school to purchase desktop and laptop computers, SMART Boards and projectors, digital cameras and camcorders, as well as software, scanners, laser printers and more.

The school, built in 1949, also required major rewiring to accommodate the technology, Dorton said, and the grant helped pay for that as well.

"As a small school, there is no way we could have done this without the grant," technology coordinator Chuck Montgomery said. "Not only were we able to buy the equipment, but 25 percent of the grant must go to professional development so we can actually learn how to use technology to enhance learning in the classroom."

Teacher Kelly Hunt said the technology, which includes a system that allows students to answer questions with a clicker, makes education fun for the students.

"They enjoy it and even ask for more. I had never before heard, 'Mrs.

Hunt, can we do more math problems? Can you give us some more questions?' It's amazing," she said.

The technology also helps educators be better teachers, she said.

"I can tell instantly if something needs more review or if we can move on to another topic," Hunt said. "And instead of sending one child to the chalkboard to do a problem, with this technology they all do the problem at the same time and they answer anonymously. I can tell who got the questions right or wrong but the students can't. I think it saves some embarrassment."

Eighth-grader Taylor Pigg said the technology makes learning easier and more fun.

"There is all this new stuff we hadn't even heard of and now it's in our school," Pigg said.

The school hopes to add the technology to every classroom in the future, Montgomery said.

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