Pilot project sees students getting computers

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ARCANUM — As part of a 1:1 computer pilot project in the fifth grade at Arcanum Butler Middle School, students get their own computer to use in school and at home.

“The entire fifth grade has Chrome Book laptops,” said Middle School Principal Marcus Bixler. “Each computer lacks internal memory and the students save a lot of their stuff into Cloud. We hope the students can use the Chrome Book for four years while here.”

The teachers took part in an extensive professional development to provide an integrated technology program this school year.

One of the first projects students participated in was to learn the cost of the computer and responsibility of caring for it. Students created documents, slides and drawings as they explored the price of the computer and what they would have to do in order to pay for it if it was damaged or lost.

According to Bixler each computer costs between $310 and $350, and 90 of them were initially purchased.

As part of the district-wide growth mindset initiative, students generated a list of class mottoes. The class voted on “Stay Positive. Work Hard. Learn More. Finish Strong,” submitted by Laney Edwards.

Next, students used Google drawings to design a class t-shirt with the motto included and the students voted on their favorite design. Karris Wright’s design was chosen. T-shirts were then printed and sold to students.

“The students are doing an excellent job,” Bixler said. “Our staff really started it last year and the teachers are doing a good job in getting it set up for the students. A lot of the teachers are tying in videos for them if they’re struggling.”

The are using the Learning Management System — Schoology.

“It increases are differentiations in the classes,” the principal said. “They can individually assign things so no student struggles.”

What about homework?

“Everything they do is submitted digitally,” Bixler said. “The teachers are in charge, and the students log into their computers.”

One of the teachers, Cindy Dickman, said she loves the computer concept.

“It gives us so much more resources for our students to access,” she said. “It gives us immediate feedback on how the students are doing. We know what we need to do to move forward.”

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By Linda Moody

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This writer may be reached at 937-569-4315. Follow her on Facebook and join the conversation and get updates on Facebook by searching Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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