CHARLESTOWN —
Charlestown Middle School’s Jacob Goodwin admits he wasn’t always the best student.
He had his share of lower grades, particularly a D in math.
Now, he boasts a 97 percent — a solid A in the same subject.
He was one of many students who lined the halls of the school Thursday evening to tell people what technology has done for them since they got their laptops about 3 months ago. This was all part of the school’s first Technology Fair, an event the school hopes to become an annual occurrence.
“I just felt motivated now. I never seen the point of math before,” he explained as to his growth. “I have ADHD and I would just give up. Now, I can look up tutorials so I don’t give up anymore. I feel more confident now. I feel I can actually do something with my life now.”
“We save lives here,” his teacher, Annette Hoff, said. “These kids who never did their homework before, who tried to sneak away without learning something, they are learning. They are self motivated and confident. This is their medium. This is what they can do. It’s an exciting time to be a teacher.”
As part of a pilot project in Greater Clark County Schools, Charlestown Middle School and Charlestown High School received laptops for students to work on during the school day and take home during the school year. Sixth graders share laptops, so they only use them during the school day. The $600,000 CMS program kicked off in February.
Ken Watson, technology coordinator, said he organized the fair to show the community what a difference the laptops have made.
“[I want them to see] just how much we have done in such a little amount of time and what a great thing it is to put a computer in the hands of every student,” he said.
The fair consisted of about 100 total entries split up among different categories, such as iWeb, iPhoto, PowerPoint and more. The top winner of each category received a grand prize — a 2-gigabyte flash drive.
Whitney Andrews, 13, showed off her project to passers-by. She made a photo book on the computer about the science of rocks, but told the story as if the rocks were on the show “The Bachelor.”
Andrews said she wasn’t always the best at computers.
“I used to not be very good at technology, but now I can search the Internet, create folders and use the applications I need,” she said.
Many said they like the change.
“I’m not really good with technology, but it’s a lot better than books. A lot better,” Jake Harper, 14, said. “I’m getting pretty good at it.”
“It’s easier,” 14-year-old Robby Harris said. “I don’t like to write a lot. I’m a better typer.”
Andrews said it has changed how the classroom works.
“Instead of carrying heavy books around, we get on the website of the books we need,” she said, though she said her math teacher still likes to use a textbook.
Those from the community who came out said they liked to see what the project has done.
“Even though I’m fairly computer savvy, I’m just being blown away with what they are being taught now, Rebecca Resch said. “It’s amazing the learning tool that it is.”
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