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Taking the classroom into the 21st Century

It seems like every time you turn on the TV or open the paper there's new technology to learn about.  So how do educators keep up with the changes and make sure students do too?  We took a visit to the Lynd Public School in Lynd, Minnesota,where here a grant from the state is helping do just that.

A year and a half ago, the State of Minnesota gave Lynd Public School more than $200,000 in technology grants.  Principal Jason Swenson says, "we wanted to be a leader in curriculum and technology and when this grant came up we went for it."

Swenson says they've used the money to buy a lot: iPads, iPods, smart tables, smart boards and laptops to name a few.  He says, "this has been a huge benefit in reaching those learners who are used to technology.  And Swenson says, a lot of students are used to technology like this these days, but he says given the economy, many families can't afford it, so this lets them keep up in the classroom.  He says, "it is excellent that they're coming here and being exposed to what's going on out there in this ever-changing technology world."

And Technology Integration Specialist Heather Fernholz says they're not just learning about the technology itself, they're using it to enhance all of their subjects.  She says, "they use the iPods and iPads to find apps that are related to what they're doing in the classroom."

It seems to be working too, Fernholz says test scores are going up.  She says, "we've had the grant for about a year and a half and we've made AYP our first year."

Which Swenson says is a great step in the right direction.  He says, "we have students excited, teachers are excited about using the technology and they're gaining so much knowledge."

Heather Fernholz also takes video and writes reports about how the students and teachers use the technology.  She he then sends those to the state as part of the grant requirements.