Students receive iPads
Published 7:32 am Friday, October 10, 2014
GRAND LAKE — Grand Lake High School is now using technology and electronic devices to differentiate learning and engage its students. On Monday, every student in grades 9-12 at the school received an iPad to use in classrooms and at home.
Lindsey Fontenot, school assistant principal, said the Cameron Parish School Board is funding iPads for students in all grades at every school in the district — not just at Grand Lake. She said that hopefully by the end of the year all 749 Grand Lake students — in grades pre-K-12 — will have the devices. All subjects will incorporate the technology, she said.
Fontenot said the school has been planning and working on the logistics of incorporating iPads in learning and lesson plans for a year. She said the main purpose of getting the devices was to prepare for new state testing that will be administered online.
“We were trying to get ahead of the curve,” Fontenot said. “We knew there are some computer skills that some kids aren’t able to practice at home, and they have to have those skills now for this testing.”
She said the school had been integrating technology in learning already, but that the iPads have brought it to “a whole new level.” Fontenot said the devices were given to high school grades first so the school could “work out the kinks” and troubleshoot any issues. She said she already has seen the devices being used effectively in classrooms.
Katie Williams, English teacher, used the iPads on Thursday while teaching a lesson on “The Canterbury Tales.” Williams said her students were taking notes digitally and using electronic resources while brainstorming for an upcoming essay assignment.
“This is so much more engaging for them,” she said. “The iPads make it easier for them to break down information, access it and communicate with each other.”
Fontenot said that since the school offers differentiated instruction and all students learn differently, students whose parents don’t want them to have an iPad do have other options. She said there are computers in classrooms and also options to not use electronic devices in lessons. Furthermore, she said, teachers won’t give out homework assignments that require an Internet connection.
