More classroom learning based on use of technology

In the nation's classrooms, students increasingly learn in front of computer monitors. Teachers and students access Internet sites for information on everything from science to history.

In many schools, chalkboards have been replaced by Smartboards. Teachers can write on the boards with markers but also display Internet sites on them. By touching the projected images or icons, the teachers can move easily between Internet sites and Web pages.

Perryville's public elementary school has made extensive use of computer and Internet technology, largely funded with federal grant money funneled through the state government. All six of the school's fourth-grade classrooms have one computer for every two students. "We have 14 student computers in each classroom," said Lisa Bailey, the school's technology and literacy specialist.

Each teacher has a desktop computer, a laptop computer, scanner, digital camera, a printer, Smartboard and a projector that allows the classroom board to serve as a giant computer screen.

All of the kindergarten through third-grade classrooms have been outfitted with Smartboards, laptop computers and projectors.

The teachers are using these new technologies to teach everything from reading and math to science and social studies, Bailey said.

The equipment has been funded largely with federal money funneled to the district through Missouri state government's eMINTS program. The name stands for "enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies."

More than half a million dollars has been spent on technology improvements at the Perryville elementary school over the past five years, said Bailey.

Computer technology, she said, has changed how students learn. "I think it has empowered the students and made them accountable for their learning," she said. "The teacher is the facilitator."

Doesn't replace teachers

Theresa Hinkebein, curriculum director for the Cape Girardeau School District, said technology is a tool for learning, but it's no substitute for teachers.

"I don't think the computer could ever replace the classroom teacher, but it does assist in bringing a wealth of information to these students and teachers," she said.

Teachers and students used to reach for the encyclopedia to research a particular subject. "Now they can go to the computer and do a search," Hinkebein said.

Cape Girardeau's public schools have computer labs in each school.

The nation's schools increasingly have upgraded classrooms with technology. But it's costly, Hinkebein said. A Smartboard can cost several thousand dollars.

Computer technology also has made it easier to communicate with parents, said Dr. Rita Fisher, assistant superintendent for instruction in the Jackson School District. Like many other school districts, the Jackson district has its own Web site. "Our parents can access their students' grades," she said. It's also a way to provide information to parents.

"The more we can communicate with parents, the better it is for everyone," Fisher said.

"I think that the Internet opens up a whole world to students and teachers for research," she said.

Jackson teachers increasingly are developing their own Web pages where students can access information about class assignments and even what was discussed in class.

"I don't think there is any teacher that doesn't use technology," Fisher said.

Jackson High School also has experimented with an online class in computer applications, piloting a course last summer. This summer, the district plans to offer a history class online. Principal Rick McClard said online courses in high school do more than educate students about a particular subject. They also give students valuable experience in taking online classes before they get to college.

America's colleges have seen a rapid growth in the number of online classes. Southeast Missouri State University currently offers more than 160 online classes.

Some Jackson graduates have reported that they weren't prepared for online classes at Southeast Missouri State University, McClard said.

Discipline necessary

In addition to providing them with experience in online classes, McClard views this as a way for busy students to take classes that they otherwise would find hard to fit into their schedule. "We have so many students now trying to do so many different things," he said. "They don't have time in the day to take all the classes they need to take."

Online courses, however, aren't for every student, he said. "They have to be disciplined to do it."

Jackson requires its online students to take their tests in school, a departure from the practice of colleges. McClard said it's important for high school students to have direct communication with teachers.

Missouri will launch a virtual school later this year that will expand online learning to elementary and secondary students throughout the state. Online courses will be offered to all Missouri students, from public to private to homeschooled. Students will be able to learn online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, studying at their own pace.

"People sometimes think of online education as a kind of glorified correspondence class. It's not," said Curt Fuchs, director of the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program.

Missouri will be the 25th state in the nation to offer a virtual school.

Today's high-tech learning isn't lost on Southeast Missouri State University educators. Last fall, the university began offering an "eLearning" certificate to teaching students.

Lynne Karnes, a second-grade teacher at St. Vincent de Paul School in Cape Girardeau, said the use of technology is limitless. "My class has explored Mount St. Helens and visited Antarctica via the Internet," she said. "For the children of today, computers are fun, interesting and a way of life."

Said Karnes, "Part of being a good educator of tomorrow's future is equipping our children with the knowledge of what's available."

mbliss@semissourian.com

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