Schools Push for More Mobile Devices

The 14-year-old uses the laptop nearly every day in her freshman transition class at Canyon Ridge High School. And she prefers doing work electronically.

“It’s easier and it’s helpful to have those resources,” she said.

The Twin Falls School District wants more mobile computing devices — such as laptops and tablets — in its classrooms.

Under a five-year technology plan, the district aims to have one device for every two students, director of operations Brady Dickinson told school trustees in December. “If the state allocation for technology continues, I think we can get there.”

The district — which recently wrapped up the first year of its technology plan — receives about $200,000 each year in state tech money.

Among 13 schools, there are 2,183 mobile computing devices for students to use — one for every four students.

They’re paid for through a variety of sources, such as school building funds, state money and grants.

Mobile devices are shared within schools to maximize opportunities for students, said district technology coach T.J. Adams.

In addition to buying mobile devices, the district also replaced 200 desktop computers.

Another way to boost classroom technology: allowing students to bring their own phones, tablets or laptop computers with teacher permission.

But at Bickel Elementary School and Bridge Academy, students don’t have to worry about that. There’s already one mobile device for every student.

In September, Bickel received nearly $169,000 from the Idaho Department of Education to buy Asus tablets with detachable keyboards.

The school, which has about 400 students, is among 15 in Idaho sharing $3 million in technology pilot grants.

Rolling out tablets at Bickel was a massive project, Adams told trustees, but teachers are seeing good results. “People are pretty pleased over there.”

Blended Learning

Some Magic Valley districts, including Twin Falls, want more “blended classrooms,” a concept that combines face-to-face teaching with online resources, such as the Idaho Digital Learning Academy.

In Twin Falls, a cohort of 11 teachers is trying the format for the first time this year. They’re mentored by veteran teachers.

Canyon Ridge teacher Robyn Barnes, who has been using the model for years, says it has transformed her role in the classroom.

“I’m not the lecturer. I don’t dominate the classroom,” she said. “I’m more like the coach or a facilitator.”

For teachers, the blended format isn’t for everyone. “It’s appropriate for teachers who are passionate about this kind of thing,” she said.

On Wednesday, Barnes’ freshman transition class was learning about resumes and how to apply for a job. Students work at their own pace on their assignments.

“Everything they have to access and turn in again is via Google Drive,” Barnes said, adding it allows for easy collaboration and faster feedback.

Barnes can make comments on a student’s paper electronically and send it back to for revisions.

Zachary Herrin, 14, said the freshman academy class works on computers nearly every day. In his other classes, they use Chromebooks occasionally.

Using laptops can come with challenges, such as wireless Internet access. “It will get clogged up and it will start to run really slowly,” Barnes said.

But, she said, blended learning is highly engaging. Students can also keep up with assignments online when they’re sick or serving in-school suspension.

The format also prepares students for going to college in an era of changing technology.

Said Barnes: “I’m really pushing them to get ready for online classes.”