MEMPHIS, TEXAS -- The world of technology continues to evolve. As it does, schools are looking for ways to stay up to date with the latest gadgets. It's a vicious cycle that educators say is hard to keep up with, especially when facing deep budget cuts. But Memphis Independent School District with the help of a grant is able to stay technology savvy by placing iPads in one of their elementarys. Pronews 7 is shining the spotlight on their efforts in this week's Region 16 Education report.
"We want the children to have the 21st century learning skills that they need," said David Calasbrese, Austin Elementary Technology Director.
Students at Austin Elementary school in Memphis are getting that thanks to their administrators and a grant. They've put iPads in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classrooms, so every student can have the world at their fingertips.
"Our classroom environment, it needs to be an environment where we can engage them and if the technology helps make them more excited about what they learn then the learning is easier, the teaching is easier and the message gets across, " said Calasbrese.
The teachers say the feedback in just the few weeks they've had the iPads is phenomenal, and the student engagement is something to brag about. In fact, in one science class, a 5th grade student was able to use Google Earth and the USGS website and saw the prediction for Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami.
"Another student noticed a fairly large earthquake in Japan off the coast and she made a prediction that that was the place where a tsunami was likely. So it was pretty incredible and so relevant for the students," said Angie Monroe, 5th Grade Science Teacher.
"What our kids are doing now and what they're going to be asked to do in their careers and how we are preparing them for that. Which is the ultimate role in education, the ultimate goal in education is to prepare them for life outside of school," said Leigh Ann Hawthorne, Austin Elementary Principal.
As part of a deal through the grant, the school is now considered a demonstration site. Meaning, other Region 16 school administrators will travel to Austin Elementary to see how they have integrated iPads into their lesson plans.
