21st Century Learning
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The days of chalkboards in the classroom are long gone, now it’s all about the gadgets.
Breckenridge Public School officials are integrating the newest technology into its classrooms.
Fifth graders like Griffin Mahoney are using Learn Pads, which give them personalized lesson plans in the classroom. Griffin says learning is fun with these tablets.
“It’s harder on paper and pencil and it’s easier on this,” said Griffin.
Teachers say this technology helps them focus on each student individually.
5th grade teacher Sarah Kratcha said, “I can really teach to each level. So, if kids work faster, and get more done and adapt to them so they can get what they need.”
More than $55,000 have been collected through a referendum, grants and generous donations for these devices. This is all to help the students’ futures.
Breckenridge Superintendent Diane Cordes said, “To expose students to the things we know they’re going to need as they become career and college ready. So looking at technology from different operating stand systems knowing that they can be exposed to any number of things became important to us.”
Elementary, middle and high school all use different devices such as the learn pads, iPads and next fall Chromebooks. But teachers say they’re not giving up on the old fashion way. Textbooks are here to stay in the classrooms and so are some other tools.
“I want them still writing things out so we keep that. We do both, as a teacher you realize that you are doing both things and that were not just compete technology all the time,” said Kratcha.
Although Griffin has a ways until he enters the workforce, this technology could be just what he needs to get him there.
One of the biggest contributions was a private donor giving the district $35,000.
