Schools

Algebra Classes to Incorporate Tablet Computers

Pilot programs in the middle school and high school will incorporate tablets into classwork.

For two classes of middle school and high school students, class materials will include textbooks, notebooks and touch-screen tablet computers by the end of 2011.

That’s because a pilot program for seventh grade Algebra 1 students will have the students supplementing their everyday lessons with learning applications hosted on the tablet computers. A similar pilot program for ninth-grade Algebra classes will couple students in two classes with iPads, to allow the district to test the program on that level.

“It’s another tool for the students to use that will engage them in their learning process,” Lisa Antunes, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, said. “It’s 21ist century schooling at its best.”

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The Board of Education unanimously accepted the program, though board member Thomas Kinst was not present at the meeting.

Both pilot programs were included in the district’s budget for this year, with a $45,000 expected cost for the middle school program and a $60,000 cost for the high school program. The tablets used for the program will belong to the district.

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Though the middle school classes will likely use Android-based tablets Antunes said, a preliminary trial in Debra Porowski’s seventh grade math classes used the iPad—to great success.

“The first question was, ‘do you play Angry Birds,’” Porowski said at the Board of Education meeting. “The second question was, ‘do you play Words with Friends.’  .  . It (the math applications) help you figure out how to get the right answer and also understand what you are doing in the process.”

The iPads and math applications can be used to review lessons or for students’ to check their work, Porowski said. In addition, the apps, like Mathination, Touch Algebra or others, can be used to teach students math concepts if they are absent from class.

“Sometimes kids are absent,” Porowski said. “They go to band. They didn’t quite understand what you went over in class today. These videos are available where they can go home and watch them.”

While the applications can reinforce the classes lessons, it’s not meant to replace the students’ textbooks or having a teacher at the board. In addition, students will not hand in homework via the devices, nor will they be able to use them during tests or quizzes.

“They are doing themselves no service by doing all their answers on the iPad and handing that in,” Porowski said. “It’s a device really to help them help themselves. . .We are still going to be doing their work on pencil and paper. This is not right now intended to be a way they’re going to hand in their homework to me.”

The programs are expected to launch in November for the high school classes and in December or January for the middle school students, Antunes said.


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