In making a million dollar investment, officials at Holland Central believe they will be the first area school district to equip all students and teachers with iPads and keyboards. "I firmly believe that our kids have to be at the top of their game," said Superintendent Cathy Fabiatos.
"They need to be very competitive and I think it's our job to provide them with the education and the skills and the tools that they need."
Fabiatos understands the investment comes at a time when schools have been struggling with finances.
"Last year, we were on the moderately fiscal stress list by the (state) Comptroller and this year we have no designation," Fabiatos said of the district's improving financial picture.
By also serving as the district's purchasing agent, Fabiatos has been able to scrutinize spending and refocus priorities.
The iPads were distributed this year to students in grades five through 12. Fabiatos says the entire student body will be equipped next year.
Teachers have been working to integrate the technology in their classroom.
"I've been able to keep on top of the students a lot more," said Mrs. Ashley Mommertz, who teaches math.
In her 7th grade inclusion class, Mommertz says she is better able to monitor her students' work with the iPad. Observing her students taking notes has been an eye-opening experience.
"It's been amazing to see how many kids do not take notes accurately. So, I really do think next year we'll see a huge change because accurate notes mean more accurate homework which will then turn over into quiz and test grades," Mommertz said.
Teachers and administrators are still reviewing the many available apps and programs that can be used in the classroom.
Laurie Gregory, Director of Curriculum, says interactive textbooks are available. One science book allows students to conduct virtual dissections of frogs and other species.
"People learn differently. We have to meet them where they are," Gregory said. "Help them learn the way they know best."
Teachers and staff in Holland Central share a common theme when it comes to technology: the students often lead the way.
Sixth-grade teacher Angela May admits that she occasionally turns to her students for help when she gets stuck with a technical item. She and her students are eager to show the many applications they've explored through the year.
Most important, she says, students are engaged.
"It depends on what it is because certain kids are interested more in a specific app or program than other kids are," May said. "But, yeah, there are the kids who (normally) take five reminders, they are the first ones finished."
In Melanie Hulton's A2/Trig class, students focus on a white board in front of the room while working the problems on their iPads. Mrs. Hulton instructs as she moves about the room, controlling the white board content from her iPad. It's an intense session where students need to be ready to answer at all times. Most are up to the challenge.
Her goal was to make her A2/Trig class "paperless"; it's a goal that has been achieved.
She employs the iPad differently for her freshmen math students.
"There's actually videos for every single lesson. All year, I've been uploading those videos," she explained.
"So, when a kid is absent, they already have the videos uploaded on their iPad. They know they have to watch the video for that lesson and have the work made up."
Though she's in her 19th year at Holland, Mrs. Hulton is embracing the technology.
"It's a fluid process," Hulton explained.
"Up to the day I retire, I will be learning something new and trying something new."
That sentiment echoes a similar mantra from Superintendent Cathy Fabiatos.
"As educators, my belief is that we are life-long learners and that we should be open-minded and ready for all this kind of change."
