New technology to transform learning

Third Place

News Story

Division 3

New technology to transform learning

Mallory Benard, Kimberly Bond, Emily Ellis, Alyssa Giannini, Sarah Gleeson, Julia Ortiz, Sarah Osborne, Letisha Rannels, and Britney Reynolds

“We don’t need books.” Imagine your principal saying that you don’t need a book when “you have the world sitting on your desk.”

This could be possible when Solanco High School’s new interactive white boards go into full swing by the end of November. The installation of 43 IWB (Interactive Whiteboards), 43 overhead projectors, and 15 carts containing 25 laptops each are waiting to be introduced to Solanco High School students by November. The whole building became wireless as of October 8, 2007 due to this change.

Solanco students will now have the possibility to interact around the globe on a daily basis through electronic class discussions, debates, and lectures that are based in other parts of the world. “You don’t need books, what do you need books for, [when you have eBooks]?” jokes the principal. EBooks are textbooks published on the Internet, making the classroom set almost obsolete. Students already are relying heavily on the Internet to provide lessons, and enhance learning. Education will come from many sources rather than just one supplied only in the classroom.

The money for these drastic changes is coming from state money and taxes. Most, if not all, is state-funded. Four hundred and fifty three thousand dollars has already been granted and in use. Next year, an expected quarter million dollars form the state is going to be received and additional funds from the school district will be appropriated to upgrade the classrooms of Solanco High School.

The high school’s funding is based on the number of students attending the school and what core subjects are chosen; meaning, the larger the school, the larger the amount of money. “Some schools only are doing English. Some are only doing English and Math. We said, why not do all four core subjects with the addition of Foreign Language and Special Education,” Mr. Rosolie states.

For many Solanco students, technology is no stranger. “The students’ brains have developed differently than generations before them,” claims Mr. Rosolie. “Their brains can multitask, giving you the ability to learn from different venues at the same time.”

“You’ve learned to learn that way,” emphasizes Rosolie. For teachers, however, using technology has not always been so natural. Thirty hours of training this year and next year is essential for teachers at Solanco. Leading the educators through the system is Mr. McTaggart, the official coach under the grant. Training will begin November 9, 2007. “Once they get a comfort level, they will move with it,” Rosolie says with confidence of his staff.

Right now, only high schools are taking this step in advancement. He claims that eventually he can see middle schools and elementary schools becoming more technologically improved. “This won’t change what you’ll be taught, but how you’ll be taught,” states Mr. Rosolie.

In the sate of Pennsylvania, 611 high schools are working towards becoming more technologically advanced. One hundred and seven received a grant last year advancing them into this new digital world.

The grant reaches its end in two years (2009-2010). “Would Solanco have been ready for this change five years ago? No. Is Solanco ready for this now? Absolutely,” says Mr. Rosolie. It’s safe to say, technology is taking over the pasture.