Technology program 'a huge deal' for low-income Salt Lake students

Technology program 'a huge deal' for low-income Salt Lake students

(Ravell Call/Deseret News)


12 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Step one: take a selfie.

Students in Homar Gosain's sixth-grade class were almost silent with focused excitement as they peeled the plastic off the screens of their new iPads. Then following along with their teacher, each took a picture of themselves, which they'll use to distinguish each student's tablet.

Gosain repeated some earlier counsel: "How do we hold our iPad?"

"Two hands," was the reply.

Sixth-grader Sayra Ramirez smiled when her selfie appeared on the screen before her.

"It's awesome," Sayra said. "We use less paper, we don't always have to stand up to sharpen our pencil and interrupt the class."

Similar scenes were unfolding in other classrooms at Jackson Elementary on Tuesday as the sleek devices were placed on desks, and students were given a chance to explore.

"I think it's cool because we can learn math better and also much faster, instead of erasing and making the paper more dirty," said fifth-grader Jonathan Ruiz, not letting his enthusiasm get out of hand. "I'm like really excited, but I'm trying not to get that much excited so I don't get my iPad taken away."

The Salt Lake City school is one of two schools in Utah and 114 low-income schools across the country that are receiving technology grants as part of Apple's ConnectED program.

The initiative includes years of school preparation and teacher training; iPads, Apple TVs and Mac computers for teachers; iPads for every student; and instructional coaching and technical support for one year after implementation.

Jackson Elementary and Glendale Middle School, both Title I schools, were chosen largely because of their economic status, which can make implementing technology programs difficult for a school.

Almost 3 in 4 students at Jackson Elementary come from low-income families, 84 percent of the 500 students in kindergarten through sixth grade identify as minorities, and 36 percent are learning English as a second language.

Some 550 iPads were provided for students at Jackson on Tuesday.

"This is a huge deal for our school," said principal Jana Edward. "To feel that support and dedication on the part of Apple, I think, sends a clear message to Jackson students that 'you are valued. High things are expected of you.'"

For years, Utah lawmakers and education leaders have been pursuing such opportunities for students as a way to enhance learning and prepare them for a technology-driven landscape.

Gov. Gary Herbert moves in close as Jackson Elementarytudents Jesse Padilla, left, and Fernando Farias take selfies with their new iPads at the Salt Lake City school on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. (Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret News)
Gov. Gary Herbert moves in close as Jackson Elementarytudents Jesse Padilla, left, and Fernando Farias take selfies with their new iPads at the Salt Lake City school on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. (Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret News)

Some schools have implemented their own technology programs. The Wasatch School District has gradually put in place a 1-to-1 student device initiative since 2011, using hardware and software to enhance instruction. Math teachers in the Davis School District are using iPads to teach with locally developed curriculum.

In 2014, the late former House Speaker Becky Lockhart championed an early proposal that called for $200 million to replace textbooks with tablets for each student. Last year, Draper Republican Howard Stephenson sponsored a bill that asked for $75 million to implement a 1-to-1 student technology program statewide. Neither request was funded.

Leading up to this year's legislative session, education leaders conducted an inventory of the technology needs in Utah schools. They also studied technology programs implemented in other states and developed a comprehensive plan for Utah, calling for teacher training, proper infrastructure and other needs before putting devices into student hands.

This year, education leaders asked for $100 million to allow schools to adopt a tech program that fits their unique needs. The full appropriation wasn't met, but the Legislature ended with $15 million for school technology, enough to get started.

Gov. Gary Herbert takes a selfie with Jackson Elementary students in Homar Gosain's sixth-grade class at the Salt Lake City school on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Each student at the school received a new iPad from Apple. (Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret News)
Gov. Gary Herbert takes a selfie with Jackson Elementary students in Homar Gosain's sixth-grade class at the Salt Lake City school on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Each student at the school received a new iPad from Apple. (Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret News)

That money will be awarded on a grant basis to schools that need tech upgrades, provided they show a clear path to growth in student performance. That could range from basic infrastructure upgrades to a 1-to-1 device implementation, much like what's now in place at Jackson. Lawmakers hope to increase funding, and the number of schools that can participate, in future years.

In the meantime, outside help is appreciated.

"Sometimes, government can't do it all. We try to get government to do what it can and what it's capable of doing," said Gov. Gary Herbert, who spoke to students at Jackson Elementary on Tuesday. "This is the private sector stepping up, helping out."

Betty Fletes, a computer lab specialist at Jackson, said the grant from Apple will help students become more proficient with computers. Previously, those students have been limited to using the school computer lab once a week because of strained resources.

"This gives them the opportunity to work on it more, to get better, to get faster, and it helps," Fletes said. "I wish I would have had this when I was in school."

Edward said she sees the grant as a way to help students improve, but teachers are still central to that process. Teachers at the school have spent the past two years preparing for the program, and instructional support will be ongoing, she said.

"We've worked really hard with our teachers to develop their pedagogy so that they're preparing lessons, that students are … demonstrating their knowledge at higher depths of understanding," she said. "We want to drive home that it is one tool to demonstrate learning. It is not taking over great teaching."

Photos

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

UtahEducation
Morgan Jacobsen

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast