Classrooms going high-tech; Ellis students to get laptops next year, AHS the following year
Published 10:36 am Friday, May 9, 2014
I.J. Holton student Noah Wollersheim, left, and Kaylee Shaw have some fun while talking about a project at the school Thursday. Like I.J. Holton, Ellis Middle School students will receive laptops next year. — Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Technology is about to take a bigger role in Austin classrooms.
Ellis Middle School students are on track to receive laptops for the 2014-15 school year.
The school is moving to a one-to-one program where each student will be issued a laptop. The laptops will come fully equipped with programs that students need, as well as basic security. According to Ellis Middle School Principle Jason Senne, the schools will try to issue each student the same computer every year.
“Some kids are harder on them than others,” Senne said.
Although he says each device will function no matter what, it will help teach the students about care and respect if they know it isn’t just a one-time use. The only cost to parents will be an insurance fee.
Anthony Valencia brings a slideshow up he’s been working on at I.J. Holton.
The school is also looking at renovations for the upcoming school year, which will include building two flexible learning areas to feature a presentation area and a collaboration station, according to Senne. The presentation areas will have a smart board for student use, and the collaboration stations will have a monitor that students can connect their computers to, so they can share and collaborate with other students.
These are all a part of the technology plan that is in place, and according to Senne, everything is still on schedule.
Austin High School is also looking to integrate technology into their teaching and learning, but they are still a year out. According to High School Principle Katie Baskin, they have yet to decide how they are going best add the new technology.
“We want to make sure we meet the needs of our kids,” Baskin said.
They will be looking at how to best pair different types of technology with instruction over the 2014-15 school year.
Baskin says they have not decided on laptops, necessarily, but making sure that students have access to the technology. She says they may look into integrating the different devices students may already have, but they have yet to decide how they will go about it.
“We’re going to be really looking at our instruction and how to integrate technology into our instruction,” Baskin said.
Since the students are bringing the skills with them from I.J. Holton and now Ellis Middle School, she says they will be looking for the best way to integrate those skills and technology with instruction.
