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NAMPA, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho school district is handing out tablets to its students and asking teachers to incorporate the devices into their day-to-day lessons.
Six Nampa schools are part of the plan, which is the first phase of an initiative meant to digitally upgrade the district, reported the Idaho Press-Tribune (http://bit.ly/1OpYYD0 ). Elementary school students will be given iPads and high schoolers will use a Windows-based tablet.
The teachers will be trained to use the tablets in the classroom through Northwest Nazarene University's Doceo Center for Innovative Instruction.
"Part of this initiative is not handing out stuff," said Assistant Superintendent Nicole MacTavish. "Our point is that teaching changes to be more engaging and more personalized and to really harness the power of our amazing educators."
District Digital Innovation Coordinator Dave Guymon said the devices are also expected to enhance student learning and prepare them for the world after graduation.
He said students, for example, could use an app on the tablets to record information that would help teachers understand their thought processes.
"I can explain how I solve a math problem in this app," said Guymon, "and then my teacher has access to that recording so that he or she can listen to my explanation as they see my annotations of the problem and be able to pinpoint areas for intervention and correction more accurately."
District officials visited Oregon, Washington, Utah and Colorado to see how similar schools use the devices in the classroom.
Phase one of the digital upgrade is expected to cost $4 million after buying the devices, making technological upgrades and hiring new staff members. It will be paid for through Nampa's technology fund.
The tablets will be distributed to all students and teachers at Columbia High School, Lake Ridge Elementary, Endeavor Elementary, Central Elementary, Willow Creek Elementary and New Horizons Dual Language Magnet School.
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Information from: Idaho Press-Tribune, http://www.idahopress.com
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