School district plans more training on tablet computers

To boost support for students and teachers in the Cape Girardeau School District's 1:1 computer-based program, the district's technology department plans additional training on the laptop devices.

Instructional technologist Ron Farrow and technology director Brian Hall presented a progress report on the 1:1 program, launched when 1,180 ASUS Transformer Books were distributed in January to students at Central High School, to school board members Monday night.

A teachers' "tech academy" week will be offered shortly after school ends and again just before the new school year starts in August. A tech academy day for students will also be staged, Farrow said.

From a teacher's perspective, Farrow said, while teachers had proved excellent at managing tasks, organizing and grading papers in an analog realm, they lose some of that efficiency in the digital area.

"It goes back to learning some of the new tools and new strategies that we're using," Farrow said. He added as teachers get more comfortable, efficiency will increase.

However, he said teachers have largely exceeded his expectations with the devices.

Students are struggling with file management and organization. Even before the devices arrived, students had trouble finding the paperwork they needed when they needed it. The same is true on the computer.

"Even using the device and using it as a learning tool is something they're struggling with," Farrow said.

He said people talk about how they live in a tech-savvy world, but proficiency to a high school student might be browsing YouTube, or finding the latest hot spot.

"But when we look at what we're trying to do as educators, which is make these students college- and career-ready, we're really looking at how to teach them to use this as a work tool, or as an academic tool when they attend institutions outside high school," Farrow said.

On a related note, after a question from board vice president Kyle McDonald, Hall said 84 devices have needed fixing, 63 of those for cracked screens. Of that, he said, 30 percent were from drops or sudden impacts, but most were from bending the device in backpacks.

Hall said a new case with reinforced sides is being considered, "so it will take some of the flex out of the bag and if they have it down in their backpack, it won't bend as bad."

The devices have accidental-damage protection that pays for one screen once within the first year. If there is a second screen breakage, the insurance kicks in, Hall said.

When a screen breaks, it means sending it off for four to six weeks, Hall said. So far, there has been enough supply to cover it, but once parts availability is set up, the turnaround time will be quick.

Other business

• The board recognized with certificates Central High School seniors Vikas Rudrappa and Josh Greaser for their admittance to the Missouri Scholars 100 program, sponsored by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals. Selection is based mainly on a formula using the student's grade-point average and ACT or SAT scores. But students also have to meet several other academic criteria.

Rudrappa also has been named a National Merit Finalist and nominated to be a Presidential Scholar.

• The board recognized with a plaque retiring board member Stacy Kinder for her years of service. On the board from 2008 to 2014, Kinder also served as vice president and president.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

301 N. Clark St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.