Columbiana upgrading classrooms

May 31, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By D.A. WILKINSON

COLUMBIANA

Every student has heard the phrase “open your book” to page so and so.

Now, some high school students are opening their mini-laptops.

Jason Martin, a math teacher for 13 years is now heading the Columbiana Exempted Village School District’s effort to modernize classrooms by using small computers and other technology to eliminate books and paperwork.

Ron Iarussi, former superintendent, started the project, and the current superintendent, Don Mook, is continuing it.

Martin takes care of the computer technology for all three of the district’s schools. He has installed cables throughout the schools for modern devices.

When it comes to computers, “We’re pretty far ahead of the curve,” Martin said.

Some students have been assigned mini-laptops made by ACER. Martin said after talking with students, the district went with the mini-computers since students liked them, though they are smaller than laptops. One mini-computer costs about $350, as compared with a full-sized laptop that can start in the $400 range and go higher.

Martin said, “They’re easy to carry, are ultra-portable, and students can take notes in class.” The computers also easily fit in a student’s backpack or bookbag. About 70 seniors and about 90 juniors are using the mini-computers.

The district also has “smart boards” that allow teachers to see student responses immediately and know which students understood the lesson and those who did not. The district has similar “student-response systems” that consist of 32 hand-held units that send the students’ answers to the teacher.

Students with the mini-computers do their homework and even take tests on the computers. Completed tests go into an electronic “locker system” where students can’t see the other test responses. But English teacher Jayson Yeagley can get to the tests to grade them.

Martin said he plans a great deal of training to help teachers.

Mook said that the district is considering extending the use of student mini-laptops next year to freshmen and sophomores.

“Any increase will depend on state funding for schools,” he said.