School Features

Challenger Elementary teacher Keith Linington always knew he would spend his career in the classroom. Both parents are in education and his grandmother teaches as well.“I guess you could say it’s in the blood,” he said.

Linington grew up with the old school methods, so to speak, but also kept up with the rapid pace of technology as it’s changed the educational field the past several years. There were no computers in the classroom at all when he was in elementary school, he said.
Next year, he’ll be able to incorporate even more technology into his classroom. Linington recently earned a $7,600 tech grant, which he will use on the latest in interactive teaching devices.



Those who haven’t set foot in a classroom in the past couple of decades might be surprised to learn chalkboards are essentially obsolete these days, having been replaced by dry erase whiteboards.
Now those, too, are going the way of the rotary telephone, as the newest technology, smart boards, become staples of the modern, tech-oriented classroom.  The devices are completely interactive – teachers can operate them from their own computers, or by using special styluses directly on the board’s surface. 
The boards can integrate all types of software, documents and images, including serving as a PowerPoint presentation, and teachers can e-mail the notes and diagrams to students who are at home sick.

The grant application process was timed perfectly for Linington to take advantage. He’d just completed the research and essays for his national teaching certification on, guess what – technology.

“(MSD’s chief technology officer) Debbie Truax and Amy Parker were really helpful in the application process and answering my questions,” Linington said. “This is the first grant I’ve applied for, so they were a huge help.”

Not just teachers use the boards. Students have individual devices they can use to answer questions and communicate with the teacher during the lesson.

“It’s basically like a little wireless mouse each kid gets, like a voting device, and each is assigned a number,” Linington explained. “I can develop assignments, track each student’s progress and use the data to see which students need help in certain areas, which ones are ready to move on.”

The wireless devices allow kids to chime in anonymously, taking the pressure off of those who are shy about raising their hands and calling attention to themselves.

“The hardest thing about working with students, especially in math and science, is that they tend to be intimidated about sharing their thoughts,” he said. “Those that don’t get it don’t want to let everyone know they don’t.”

The grant also gives the kids hands-on experience with computer technology they don’t get to experience at home.
“My building being full Title, 80 percent of students qualify for free or reduced meals. This helps reach the kids who are already at a disadvantage economically and may not have computers at home,” he said.

Many district teachers now use homework web sites, Linington said, yet only about a third of his students have computers at home.
“By being able to bring it into the classroom, they’ll develop the skills they need when they move onto middle and high school. It’s hugely beneficial,” he said. 
Kids have a lot more technology and information right at their fingertips than previous generations, Linington said.
“But they have to. Their world is vastly different from when you and I were kids.”