Technology is everywhere these days. And that includes the classroom.
Recently North Side Primary Center in Herrin received some iPads from a grant to rotate between their PreK and kindergarten classes.
Kids are little sponges looking for new information and teachers today are competing against electronic toys, video games, tablets and their parent’s phones, which creates a challenge for them.
Principal Cassie Burgess takes on this challenge headfirst.
“I feel like we have a first step in building that foundation so that students have a successful and productive educational journey.”
Thanks to a grant and some free apps from PBS KIDS, they now have an advantage - something that kindergarten teacher Stephanie Allen uses to the fullest.
“So anything that you can use that grabs their attention, always I’m looking for that first.”
The grant paid for a laptop, mobile cart and 25 I-pads so that every student can use educational apps and learn at their own pace.
“I have been able to observe classrooms that are using the iPad and it also allows the teachers to kind of fine tune what they're doing in terms of meeting their needs maybe for kids who are struggling or also providing that enrichment for kids who need that additional push or need to be challenged in some way shape or form.”
And the kids are excited about the new technology.
“They’re very excited and it's like Christmas every Monday when the cart comes in. Some of them clap and some them are like yay, their so excited and then we pass them out and by the time you pass them out it gets very quite.”
Giving teachers an extra hand in a world full of distractions.
“Not to say that technology takes the place of sound educational practice. It's just a way to enhance what students are already learning.”
Thursday Jan 29 marks the 100th day of school for Herrin, and they are holding an open house demonstrating how this technology is helping their students.
