Sikeston educators embracing iPad use

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Instructors at the Sikeston Career and Technology Center have begun brainstorming, researching and implementing the student use of iPads in their classrooms for the 2013-2014 school year.

"Students today are all so techie," said Brent Taylor, construction technology instructor at the center. "They tweet. They're on Facebook. That's their language. If we get this to a point that gets across to them, it will level every playing field."

Gloria Houston, health occupations instructor, has looked into several educational applications for students to download to tablet as part of Sikeston R-6's Project iLearn. The initiative will put the tablets in the hands of all Sikeston High School students when school starts in August.

Cape Girardeau is undertaking a similar tech initiative, with the goal of computers for all high school students next year as part of its 1:1 program.

"The iPads will take learning to another level and make things come to life for the students -- who are already tech-savvy," Houston said.

One app will show the anatomy of the human body -- in color and at various stages to work with her lesson plans. By using the app, it will limit the number of photocopies needed for students, which also will reduce printing and ink costs for the district, she said.

Another app will allow students to trace a drop of blood from the tip of the finger throughout the body, she said.

"I'm very excited about this," Houston said.

For tests or quizzes, Houston will be able to see how many students answer a question correctly. If a specific question is missed by several students, she will know that topic may be something she needs to go over again or spend more time on, she said.

In addition, there is an app to help students learn medical terms, Houston noted.

"This allows you to take the lesson further. Students can move at their own pace because everyone learns differently," Houston said.

Although Houston uses interactive white boards and projectors in the classroom, students don't have that information in their hands as they would with an iPad, viewing it on their own time in addition to class time, Houston said.

Crystie Ressel, supervisor of adult and community education, said she thinks the implementation of the iPads for students and teachers is bringing an energy to staff members.

"We afford an opportunity not presented in other schools -- and it's a big draw to the teachers," Ressel said.

Steve Beydler, television production instructor, also is researching apps and how to integrate iPads into the classroom. Beydler said he's reading about using mobile apps for video production.

Streaming school district games and activities live may be something his students could do through iPad use. Although live streaming of video is generally a very large expense, using iPads -- along with iPad tripods and mounts -- may present a less expensive option as well as a learning opportunity for students, Beydler said.

There also are apps that will calculate the best moment to capture a specific photo or provide a posing guide for photographers, Beydler said.

In the world of auto collision repair technology, instructor Justin Todt said iPads will help out "tremendously." For starters, there will be zero downtime for students.

"Within 30 seconds of the bell ringing, they can be ready to go with their iPads," Todt said.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is paired with the Collision Repair-ICAR certification, which is free to all Missouri high schools and is exclusively online, Todt said. Now Todt will be able to use ICAR with his students.

Todt's students can graduate with ICAR pro-level one certification for nonstructure and refinishing -- something some automobile body-repair mechanics don't even have, Todt said.

The certification is free for technology center students, but would cost the average person about $300 to take the test at the closest testing site, which is in St. Louis.

Todt's students also will have access to manuals and diagrams on their iPads.

"So instead of making a photo copy of a specific diagram, students can just have the iPad sitting next to them while working in the body shop," Todt said.

Taylor said iPad use will help his teaching strategies in ways similar to Todt's. His construction technology course uses the curriculum through the National Center for Construction Education and Research, which is the recognized credential by DESE. His students will also leave the program certified, he said.

Through Project iLearn, students and teachers will be able to use their time more efficiently, Taylor said.

"SCTC is about industry standards -- students doing what they need to go out and get a job," Taylor said.

Pertinent address:

Sikeston, Mo.