HOWELL — As the 2014-15 school year begins, students in the Howell K-8 School District will be introduced to a new learning environment that is different from taking notes with a pen and paper.
Beginning this month, teachers are introducing students to what district administrators are calling the 21st-century learning environment.
The initiative will employ new uses of technology in an effort to prepare the students for the world they will enter as adults, according to Claire Engle, the district’s supervisor for educational technology.
Students in kindergarten through second grade will be provided with iPad tablet computers to share among each other, according to Engle.
Those in grades three through five will be assigned a MacBook Air laptop computer to use in school only.
Pupils in grades six through eight will be assigned a MacBook Air laptop computer to bring to and from school and home.
The initiative dates to 2012 with the district’s establishment of a technology task force, according to Engle. Comprised of residents, teachers, administrators, support staff employees, students and members of the Board of Education, the task force was organized by Enid Golden, the district’s former superintendent of schools.
“Members of the task force researched best practices, conducted site visits at 1:1 technology districts, and explored various digital tools and resources to personalize learning and support this learning environment,” Engle said.
In order for the 21st-century learning environment to have a positive outcome on pupils, there will be specific content area focuses each year to explore assessment methods and to make any revisions to the curriculum if necessary, according to Engle.
“The curriculum is aligned to the Common Core State Standards, and the district will continue its ongoing efforts to incorporate 21st-century skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills, technology skills, and communication and selfdirection skills into the curriculum. These technology tools and resources will support curriculum access for all students. It will allow us to increase independence and personal productivity, and empower students to find answers to their own questions,” Engle said.
Getting acquainted with new technology may be difficult for some students, so administrators are requiring all students to attend formal computer class instruction, according to Engle.
Safety can be an issue in regard to distributing iPads and laptops to students, but according to Engle, student safety will be a priority.
“With the 21st-century learning environment, the district will adhere to the Children’s Internet Protection Act. The devices are filtered for inappropriate content, and the acts requires districts to monitor Internet usage for things such as cyberbullying,” Engle said.
There will be a mandatory session this month for parents of children in grades six to eight, and for the students, to receive further details about the laptop computer distribution.
Administrators are hoping the new learning environment will shape students’ minds in preparation for the world they will eventually enter as adults, according to Engle.
“The overall outcomes of this new learning environment are to improve the equity of access to technology in order to enhance student learning of content, increase student achievement in core academic subjects by creating student-centered environments, close achievement gaps, improve student ability to become self-directed learners, prepare students for the world of work and to improve the home-school connection,” Engle said.