Fifth-grade students in Kevin Wickware's class share a chrome book during a project.
Students in K-5 have begun a new school year with modern technology at their fingertips.
Churchill County School District purchased 470 chrome books for elementary students with more on the way. The district has spent $156,233 on the chrome books that have been paid for out of the Capital Projects Fund with the Pay as you go Funds.
Michelle Richardson, technology coach for the district, said the use of chrome books in the classroom not only benefits the students but also the teachers and parents that use it.
“The chrome books allow the students to learn how to use todays technology,” she said. “It will aid the students with their lesson plans but it also allows teachers to collaborate together and gives access to parents so they’re able to monitor their student’s work.”
Superintendent Dr. Sandra Sheldon said the chrome books are great tools for teachers, students and parents to use. She said teachers are able to set up their classroom on the tablets; gives the students personalized learning and allows them to collaborate with other students.
Richardson said the chrome books allow students to access assignments and text from home. She said teachers have organizers and planner apps available to them to use and parents can access the site to see how their students are doing and any work they might have.
Teachers from Numa Elementary School raved about the programs on the tablets and how they have engaged the students to learn.
Kevin Wickware said having the chrome books for students in the classroom at a young age will prepare them for the demand of high school and college.
“My students have taken to the chrome books very quickly,” he said. “The books are used as a support tool. The students can be asked to journal in them, read their lesson, take quizzes or other instructions.”
Wickware said students are able to review assignments and chapters from home and that he’s able to see if the students understand the material assigned to them.
Students have had a positive introduction to the chrome books, Teri Funsch said. She described her students as very eager to read using the chrome books.
“I’m shocked at how many comprehension test are being taken,” Funsch said. “The children love to use the books and their enthusiasm to use them has been very high.”
Concept games, building cells, study material and quizzes are just a few learning aids that Michele Reibsamen is able to provide her students.
Eric Clifford has not received his chrome books yet for his class but said the books will teach the students a verity of lessons. He said the students would learn the fundamental of how the chrome books work, different apps, trouble shooting and how to use Google.
Richardson said in order for teachers to receive a chrome book the teachers must take a training class on how to use it. She said at the moment almost all teachers at Numa and E. C. Best Elementary schools have training.
It is the districts hope to get chrome books into all of the schools. Sheldon said the district is applying to a state grant that will bring chrome books to all students in the middle school and use allocated funds to purchase tablets for the high school.
“Strategic planning was in mind when figuring out what schools should receive the chrome books first,” Sheldon said. “The elementary schools had antiquated computers and needed them replaced. When we reconfigured the schools over the summer we just ripped everything out and updated it all. Having the chrome books in the elementary schools will also allow for an easy transition when they get to the middle school … hoping we have the technology in place by then.”