Genelle Pugmire – Daily Herald Daily Herald | Posted: Tuesday, March 8, 2011 12:15 am
Ask Ted Kelly, director of special education and technology in the Provo School District, how the city’s fiber-optic network helps his kids and Kelly gets downright giddy.
“The whole purpose in teaching and learning technology exists for engagement of students. It’s the gift. The prize is what comes out of it,” Kelly said.
Kelly says he couldn’t do with his kids what he’s doing in the schools if it wasn’t for FirstDigital, the current owners of the city’s fiber-optic network.
In order to explain the boost in the district’s technology possibilities, Drew Peterson, CEO of FirstDigital, compares it to a highway. “Most schools are on a one-lane technology highway. The city of Provo, because of its fiber-optic network is on a 10-lane highway. With what we have been able to do for the schools, it puts the district on a 100-lane highway. Very few school districts in the country have this opportunity. There are only three school districts I am aware of,” Peterson said.
Late last year Kelly and his crew approached FirstDigital to see how much they could boost the system. In a week’s time FirstDigital had put a one-gigabit network into the pipeline.
Not only are the fiber optics already in place because of the city, but FirstDigital has improved the equipment on both ends of the network over the past year to make the entire city and the school district more efficient, according to Peterson.
Mayor John Curtis said there are many benefits to a citywide fiber-optic network, this being one. “The city envisioned life-changing applications when it built the network, and it’s great to see that happening now. Few cities have anything similar, and many wish they did,” Curtis said.
“We’re fortunate that the network is in the hands of a local business that understands the value of investing in the community. We’re pleased with how FirstDigital is partnering with the school district to enhance the learning of our children,” Curtis said.
Kelly is also excited because the sites are fully wireless so the physical technology becomes invisible. With this technology, schools are able to upload and download faster, easier and with no down time on the network. With the introduction of iPads to the schools this year, children are taking giant leaps in their learning skills and opportunities, according to Kelly and teachers.
Special needs children, particularly those with autism, are benefitting from the technology. At Spring Creek, Canyon Crest and Franklin elementaries, there are classes where every child has access to an iPad. That, coupled with the Promethean, or smart, boards is making teaching and learning a rewarding experience. According to Kelly, teachers and students now have access to tools for their unique learning needs.
Elisa Schmidt teaches students with severe/profound disabilities at Canyon Crest Elementary. “Since I have been using the iPad, student engagement has increased, and my students are excited to work. I have three students who have been working on writing their first names since the beginning of the school year. In the short time that we have had the iPads, they have mastered their first names and are making great progress on writing their last names,” she said.
Kim Broadbent is a tier-two teacher who helps students in grades one through six learn and improve literacy and technology skills at Westridge Elementary. “When we first began using Promethean boards a few years ago, I saw the engagement level of students increase dramatically. All of a sudden, students were active learners, clamoring for an opportunity to interact with the board and show what they could do,” Broadbent said.
Broadbent said she was certain that was the best technology ever. “Since then, the district has begun piloting the use of iPads in a few locations, and the excitement is contagious among both teachers and students. Each child can now have access to individually prescribed applications that help fill learning gaps. Best of all, the kids can’t wait until it’s their turn to learn. To me, that is what technology in education is all about.
In Brenda Fuller’s fifth/sixth-grade split class at Franklin Elementary, they have been using Promethean boards and computers for a while now. Recently they added iPads in class. “This has added an extra boost to the excitement in our room. Students are learning to take notes more effectively, using apps for spelling, math and fluency practice. This has the potential to be an excellent learning tool,” she said.
Deborah Carr is a special educator in the school district and has been watching intently how the faster-paced, higher level of technology is helping the most needy students.
“Children are enticed by the light, the music, and the interactive quality of the iPad, and they are willing to sit with the teachers and play with it as they are learning. When no other learning material will engage a child, I can count on the iPad to tempt them to sit down with me and play,” while they are also working on their individual learning goals, Carr said.
“This new technology will be the great equalizer for our kids with disabilities,” Carr added.
The beefed up technology and iPads are not just for struggling students. Lisa Bringhurst, a sixth-grade teacher at Spring Creek, says all of the abilities from technology like iPads and Promethean boards is changing her classroom. “Student attendance has increased and their attitudes have improved. It’s so exciting to see how quickly they pick up on things. This generation of kids is tech-savvy, and it’s great to be speaking their language.”