Grant helps Eastern Greene upgrade technology

Submitted photo --- HARD AT WORK: Eastern Greene School Corporation recently received a technology upgrade. The school was awarded a $150,000 grant, which means the students will be able to do more things on computers. Above, students work on some of the new computers. [Order this photo]

The school has been awarded a $150,000 grant that will benefit students in several grades.

Lori Richmond, EG director of learning, provided the details on the grant -- which is a Learning Technology Grant made possible through a partnership with Monroe County Schools.

The grant was used to purchase 48 fully networked computer workstations with complete multi-media and Internet capabilities as well as 12 Web cams, flip cameras and a network printer at the high school level.

The equipment is being used in two labs for junior and senior level English classes.

"That's huge for our kids. That way the other (grade level) students have time in the school's other labs," Richmond said.

The new technology is also changing the face of the classroom by going green.

Senior English teacher Ted Baechtold explained, "Classrooms have long been bastions of paper ... between handouts, responses, tests, quizzes, and papers, an English classroom might be one of the worst. The computers are going to reduce much of that by going digital."

Students will be "dropping" digital copies of their assignments into "Moodle" -- which is an on-line classroom management platform, Baechtold noted. Most of the classroom text will also be read using the on-line system.

"Beyond that very green aspect of technology, we will hopefully promote a high level of engagement with the technology," Baechtold explained. "Students can use the wealth of information to help them better understand concepts and issues we will be working with and also can tailor their learning experience to better meet their needs -- the technology should allow us to better differentiate instruction and tailor activities and assignments to meet students where they are."

The technology upgrade also allows for video conferencing.

"We also have 12 Web cams for use in each room to allow Skyping and video conferencing with other students nearby and around the world," Baechtold explained.

So far, students are super-amped over the new upgrades.

"When the computers and desks arrived, my colleague (EG Junior English teacher) Gail Finn and I had our students actively involved in the installation process. They helped open and dispose of boxes, helped put together or organize where parts went, and worked hard to help make this installation happen quickly and effectively," he added.

Finn agrees.

"The students love it," she said.

It has also had a huge impact on the classroom, she noted.

"Students are using a private social networking site where we create discussions covering the novels we are reading," she explained. "Students answer questions that are posed to them and create threads asking their own questions. The goal is to help them develop meaning from texts as part of a learning community."

In doing so, students develop the skills necessary that will allow them to work through complicated issues and learn to discuss and even disagree while remaining civil and calm, Finn added.

"The technology also helps with students who are absent. They are able to access the site from home and keep up with the class even when they can't be here on-site," Finn said.

EG students also agree that the upgrade is sweet.

Savannah Harrison said, "I never thought we would be doing something so cool in school."

DJ Erwin commented that, "It is easy to use."

Amber Shahan noted, "It is really cool to work on computers in English. Being able to access it from home helps me keep caught up. And I like being able to delete and redo when I make a mistake. You can't do that if you say something wrong."

Brad Park likes the fact that he doesn't have to carry his book and that his fingers don't get cramps from writing.

Josh Johnson said, "It's easier to type than to write."

Justice Sherrard agreed and added, "Until you get carpal tunnel."

At the middle school level the grant purchased equipment with a science focus -- which includes a PoleVault System and two microscopes projectors with a digital camera.

At the elementary, the grant's focus is engagement.

"The elementary is getting SmartBoards and other interactive technology that students can be connected with in the classroom," Richmond explained.

The grant also funded the purchase of Learn360 -- which will be in each of the buildings.

"I'm just extremely thrilled that our students are getting more opportunities. We need to keep up with the growth of our students and we want to be able to lead that," Richmond added.