By JASA SANTOSStar-Tribune staff writer
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 2:05 AM MST
The kindergarteners in Cristy McBee's classroom are learning to make graphs by keeping track of Wyoming weather patterns, and they're checking daily temperatures and weather conditions using their hand-held computers.Each student has a Hewlett-Packard iPAQ, similar in size and style to a BlackBerry, thanks to a $5,000 grant from Qwest and the Wyoming Department of Education."Word's gotten out," McBee, a teacher at Desert View Elementary in Rock Springs, said. "'You're doing what with 5-year-olds?' It's been fun."The Qwest Teachers and Technology grant program accepts applications from Wyoming schools working to find innovative ways to bring technology to students and teachers.Grants in the amounts of $12,000, $8,000 and $5,000 will be awarded to three different schools this year. Applications are due Feb. 1 and can be found on the department of education's Web site."This supports students and teachers at the same time," said Michael Ceballos, Wyoming president for Qwest. "We anticipate additional applications this year."
McBee's school, along with Jeffrey City Elementary, won grants last year. Learning to use the iPAQs was hard at first, McBee said, but now students use the devices every day for lessons."It really motivates them to continue learning," McBee said.Qwest's grant allowed Jeffrey City Elementary students to become part of the Wyoming Equality Network, a distance education program in Wyoming.The elementary is a one-room schoolhouse 56 miles southeast of Lander. Students there don't have the chance to take part in extracurricular activities or special classes like art, said Andrea Schurg, a technology instructor at the school."They miss out on a lot of opportunities," Schurg said. "We were thankful to have won the grant."Using the network, students at the school take part in televised classes that are taught at North Elementary in Lander. Jeffrey City fifth-graders have band practice right along with North students. One boy is learning to play clarinet, Shurg said, and is eager for North's first concert in spring.Schurg said students have responded well to having televised classes, as have teachers."They really love it," Schurg said. "They're so excited."
Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com
This article tells about the Qwest Teachers and Technology grant program in Wyoming and how it is helping students in that area. The kindergarten students in Cristy McBee's class are learning how to make graphs on their IPAQs by keeping track of Wyoming weather patterns, as well as check the daily temperatures and weather conditions. With this technology grant students are also able to learn curriculum not offered at their own school, via computers. Schools like Jeffrey City Elementary now have the ability to allow their students to become part of the Wyoming Equality Network, giving students to take extra circular activities they would normally not be able to learn.
The early use of technology is preparing the next generation for the future, some people may thing that kindergarten is too young to start using IPAQs, when I reality it is the perfect age to begin. We can’t have a technology gap, and allowing children to start at a younger age will help their knowledge in technology.
I think the early use of technology is a great thing, children already know more than their parents do when it comes to technology, and I believe the earlier the student starts using the technology, the more experienced they will be, and their resources will soon be unlimited. Technology is a very important part of our future, and we must make sure we keep up as well as educate the future generations.
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3 comments:
I agree with you on that children really should be introduced to this kind of technology at a young age. With technology advancing more each year there are so many things teachers could be taking advantage of with this technology. For instance, possibly helping american students become more bilingual with these programs at a young age like some other countries.
Also, I thought the part about the small school being able to get the grant was a very good thing. Those schools who don't have as many opportunities should have the chance to enhance their education too!
Good choice of an article! =)
Kristen,
I to think that technology is a huge part of our lives today and should be learned about, however, I disagree with teaching children about these things so young. I feel that children are not able to just be kids for a while. They need to understand the world they live in first before going across the community to another class. I hate to disagree, but at least you get a different view point.
Danny Kelly.
I agree with you that children should be introduced to technology at a young age. We as a society are using technology for everything and children need to know how to use it so they can survive in our society. I think those little computer things are awesome and I think we would have benefited as children if we would have had them. I think this new way of learning will definently enhance their education.
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