By Dan Domsic
The Hamilton Southeastern School Board and District took another step closer to the major goals of the HSE21 Initiative, which focuses on 21st Century skills and technology for students.
If implemented, every HSE Schools District student would receive an iPad for classwork.
However, the step the board took at the Feb. 25 meeting puts in motion just one phase of the plan – getting the technology to teachers this spring and summer for professional development. They approved a motion that granted purchases, as well as added positions to move the initiative along.
A total of 1,040 iPad 2s will be purchased, along with other equipment and training, in this first phase for a total cost of approximately $1,127,460, according to HSE’s CFO, Mike Reuter.
The approval came after a presentation on findings from a pilot program from Dr. Beth Niedermeyer, asst. supt. of curriculum and several other members of the initiative’s pilot design team.
“HSE21 keeps Hamilton Southeastern Schools competitive,” she said. “It allows us to be a leader in implementing 21st Century teaching and learning.”
The team members presented anecdotes about the impact the use of iPads in classrooms of teachers who piloted the HSE21 Initiative.
Their summary statements on data collected during the pilot so far show increased student engagement, as well as “slight gains” in student achievement.
Anecdotal evidence and examples of integrating the iPads into classwork were outlined along with data.
John Hochstetler, a media specialist at Sand Creek Intermediate, said holds on books increased “dramatically” after his students used a scanner application on QR codes that led them to short highlight videos or “book trailers.”
Jeff Harrison, data and technology integration specialist, brought challenges and benefits to the table for the board’s consideration.
He said different issues arose during the pilot of HSE21, simply by how it was being delivered (carts of devices were shared amongst teachers).
According to Harrison, teachers shared tips and helped each other while integrating the technology into the classroom, such as finding solutions to students being distracted by the new tablets.
One of the benefits he noted was the pilot showed instruction was more rigorous, as well as student-centered.
The next step in the HSE21 Initiative is the professional development plan, with a “train the trainer” program expanding the number of teachers learning how to use the technology in the classroom.
