Calexico High School social studies teacher Eliseo Cerros hands out student-response systems called ¿clickers¿ to students Edgar Ibarra and Carlos Ruelas on Tuesday. (Chelcey Adami) |
CALEXICO — Calexico High School is expanding its use of technology in the classrooms this year through a federal grant and is the only school in the district using digital learning at its level, school officials said.
The school began incorporating technology four years ago using categorical funding for training and tools such as digital “chalk boards,” educational video games, wireless tablets and student-response systems called “clickers.”
Through an Enhancing Education Through Technology $50,000 grant awarded this year, the school can expand the digital learning into classes, Assistant Principal Isaac Estrada said.
Student response systems gives immediate feedback on student comprehension and allows teachers to frequently check on the students’ progress while some of the other tools keep them more engaged while learning, Social Studies teacher Eliseo Cerros said. He added the use of technology helps build students’ confidence.
He pointed out that technology already infiltrates teenagers’ lives in every other way.
“A lot of them feel very comfortable working with the technology,” he said. “They’re used to all this.”
Cerros said creativity and budgets are the only limits for digital learning.
Eleventh- and 12th-grade students in Cerros’ U.S. history class used digital clickers Tuesday to plug in answers to a review session game.
Student Jorge Arboleda said he thinks using the technology is better than using the traditional pen, paper and books method.
“We can learn in a different way,” he said. “Today was really fun, and we learn the same thing.”
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
By the numbers
$50,000 grant awarded to expand technology
10-12 teachers consistently using digital learning now
10 more teachers to receive digital learning training
20 hours of training needed for each teacher
The school began incorporating technology four years ago using categorical funding for training and tools such as digital “chalk boards,” educational video games, wireless tablets and student-response systems called “clickers.”
Through an Enhancing Education Through Technology $50,000 grant awarded this year, the school can expand the digital learning into classes, Assistant Principal Isaac Estrada said.
Student response systems gives immediate feedback on student comprehension and allows teachers to frequently check on the students’ progress while some of the other tools keep them more engaged while learning, Social Studies teacher Eliseo Cerros said. He added the use of technology helps build students’ confidence.
He pointed out that technology already infiltrates teenagers’ lives in every other way.
“A lot of them feel very comfortable working with the technology,” he said. “They’re used to all this.”
Cerros said creativity and budgets are the only limits for digital learning.
Eleventh- and 12th-grade students in Cerros’ U.S. history class used digital clickers Tuesday to plug in answers to a review session game.
Student Jorge Arboleda said he thinks using the technology is better than using the traditional pen, paper and books method.
“We can learn in a different way,” he said. “Today was really fun, and we learn the same thing.”
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
By the numbers
$50,000 grant awarded to expand technology
10-12 teachers consistently using digital learning now
10 more teachers to receive digital learning training
20 hours of training needed for each teacher
