Windham News : technology

District plans to give laptop to every Windham High School student

Salem Editor — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:10:00 GMT

Rather than putting a computer in every classroom, school administrators are planning to put a computer in the hands of every student enrolled at the new high school.

“One of the things we’ve been doing is trying to research what are going to be the best practices to prepare kids for the world around then when they get out of high school,” Assistant Superintendent Roxanne Wilson said. “We’ve done the research that says we need to have kids technologically adept to compete in the world market.”

A new program embraced by the superintendent’s office, one-to- one computing, should put a personal laptop computer in the hands of every student who steps foot into the new school building after it opens next fall, making Windham one of the first public school systems in New Hampshire to bring 21st-century skills into the curriculum, according to Wilson.

Students will have the laptops with them throughout the day, but will be able take them home after the school day ends for homework and research use. Wilson said that allowing the students to use the equipment both at school and at home will infuse the technological aspect of the Internet age into their everyday learning and help them improve their critical thinking and problem- solving skills.

“We want to make sure that we have the opportunity to give our kids the upper edge on technology and preparing them for that route,” she said.

According to the high school’s technology director, Terry Bullard, implementing the plan has come at a perfect time with the construction of the new school in Windham. Rather than retrofitting the building or the curriculum for the one-to-one computing program, administrators have the opportunity to configure both the school and their future teachers around the student laptops.

“One of the reasons this is the right time to do this for Windham is that we’re able to incorporate the proper infrastructure to do this as well as the staffing to develop the proper curriculum,” Bullard said. “ It’s a unique opportunity to start fresh.”

The school will be equipped with a wireless Internet signal for students and educators to use throughout the day, as the laptops replace the need for individual computer labs. The school is also bringing on board a technical staff to maintain a “help desk” for students experiencing problems with their computers.

While the details on the program have not been worked out – both the total cost of the laptops and the specific computer model to be used have yet to be determined – Wilson said that by giving out individual laptops to students saved the school money in the short term, though that cost would increase as the school body expanded to include not only the freshmen and sophomore classes, but juniors and seniors as well.

Wilson got the go-ahead to begin the program with a unanimous vote from the School Board on Oct. 21. Board Chairman Barbara Coish said the research Bullard and Wilson had done on the program had convinced her that it would be the right move for Windham’s high school students.

“Hopefully, it turns out to be as exciting as it sounds to be and it benefits the students more than just books, books, books,” she said. “I would imagine that would instill some responsibility in the students. They know they have to take care of this equipment.”

Reading mixes with technology – Students create podcasts of book reviews

Salem Editor — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:34:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

Madison Enos, a sixth-grader, has completed a book review of “Magyk,” a book by Angie Sage, that she enjoyed reading.

Her short summary of the book – and thoughts on it – will be available to be heard on the Internet.

Madison, 12, is one of several Windham Middle School students creating podcasts of their book reviews.

“We get to record our own opinion of books we’ve read,” said fellow student Bobby Parsons.

Using technology available to them at the school, the students are aiming to make about 15 podcasts before the end of the school year.

Their program, “Book News,” is an enrichment activity – mixing a love of reading with technology – for this group of advanced reading students. And they’re excited that their words will be heard by others.

“A lot of kids have iPods,” said Meagan Eccleston.

Diana Greenleaf, the school district’s media specialist, was inspired to start the program after attending a workshop at last year’s Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference, which promotes technology in education.

The Windham students, all of them sixth-graders, typically meet weekly to work on their podcasts.

“It promotes reading, and it makes them excited to do something about reading,” Greenleaf said. “I think to do something with iPods makes reading a desirable activity.”

Recently, the students gathered with Greenleaf in the school’s library. Madison was getting ready to record her review of “Magyk.” Jon Spanos, 12, manned the computer keyboard.

“Do you want to practice it once? I think you should,” Greenleaf told her.

After she did, Jon quietly said “one, two, three” and started recording. Madison’s reading went smoothly but her friends told her she needed to talk louder.

“Yeah, pick up the volume,” said Sean Joseph.

After Madison read it again, Meagan quietly clapped and Jon played back the recording.

“This series opener is an on-the-edge-of-your-seat can’t-put-it-down exciting book,” Madison told listeners.

“Wonderful writing and vivid descriptions take you into a truly imaginative story that you won’t want to leave.”

The students started their work a couple of months ago. They use Audacity, an audio editing computer program, to record their reviews. An encoder known as LAME is used to turn the recordings into MP3 files.

Each podcast begins with a short introduction of “Book News,” followed by a book review.

Each review is kept short – no more than two-and-a-half minutes – so listeners won’t get bored.

Sean has reviewed Erin Hunter’s “Into the Wild,” which he read last summer and recommends to others.

“I couldn’t put it down,” he said.

Bobby intends to record his review of “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”

“Practice helps a lot,” Greenleaf said. “Doing it cold isn’t good.”

But if a student mispronounces a word, they don’t have to re-record their entire review. They can cut out their mistake, record a fix and make a substitution.

There is, however, one problem, students trying to work out – the volume of their introduction is louder than the reviews.

Although only five students are currently recording reviews, more students are expected to become podcasters. Greenleaf hopes to bring the activity to other students at the school.

Windham News : technology

District plans to give laptop to every Windham High School student

Online now – Video tour of high school site ready for viewing

Reading mixes with technology – Students create podcasts of book reviews