Photo by Adriance Rhoades

With the innovations in technology, school officials have incorporated a variety of programs and devices into lessons. In classes such as ESL and Partners in Technology, the use of electronics has proven beneficial to students. Students use Promethean Boards, computers, iPads and other devices to supplement learning in class.

“There are many educational apps that our students use,” FALS teacher Jinna Danser said. “Our students are in Partners in Technology as well to gain computer skills that can help them once out of high school.”

In Partners in Technology, students gain skills they will need for the future.

“With today’s technology, they need to learn how to use a computer,” Partners in Technology teacher Dianne Harris said. “It is also a good basic skill for students who want to pursue a job.”

Students with trouble writing use a handwriting app on the iPad and gradually go from using their finger to a stylus to a pencil. Mrs. Harris also has the students meet with their partners and use programs such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Word.

“These programs help with their finger dexterity and muscle memory,” Mrs. Harris said. “Also, if they are working on an assignment, they can get on PowerPoint and make a book for a study guide.”

Since Partners and Technology began three years ago, no set curriculum has been created for the class.

“The students are at varied levels,” Mrs. Harris said. “It is difficult to come up with a lesson plan that incorporates something that covers every level.”

ESL teacher Shaw Hatley has her newcomers use the program Rosetta Stone. She prefers this program because it teaches conversational English instead of simply teaching grammar rules.

“I think Rosetta Stone’s format- no rules, only application- makes learning English somewhat easier,” Ms. Hatley said. “Learning English is hard.  Period. Just think: read vs. read, and then red vs. read; hare and hair; to, two, too, etc. We have rules for some things and ‘that’s just the way it is’ for other things. The nuances are endless.”

Ms. Hatley also has her students use iPad apps such as Pic Collage, iTranslate, Math terms and Screenchomp.

“Apps like Pic Collage and Screenchomp allow for all of my ESL students to be more creative while learning and teaching others,” Ms. Hatley said. “Technology helps because it’s a format that the kids are interested in and comfortable with.”