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Technology brings changes to Bigfork High School

Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:36 AM by Robin O'Day (KPAX News)
Updated: Feb 6, 2012 2:24 PM


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BIGFORK- Kindergarten teachers are reading to their students from iPads, high school students are reading the classics from Kindles and the school library is completely online where you can even download a book onto a smart phone.

Bigfork High School is powering up with electronic devices like iPads and smart phones becoming tge educational accessory.

"I love being able to do things from my phone. If I can access the internet, I can just email my teacher right away," senior Keiko Sagami said.

Just a few months ago, students had to keep their cell phones off or they were confiscated, but now you are allowed to use them on school property as a learning tool.

"It basically allows kids to bring their own technology, that's really what it is, a BYOT program now," Bigfork Schools Superintendent Cynthia Clary explained.

The school cell phone policy revision means that the library is now online, allowing students to download books directly onto their cell phones.

"If you get home and you want to check out a book, and you're like 'oh I forgot to go to the library', but instead you could just go on the library at home when I'm on my phone," junior Chelsea Olson told us.

The days of tracking down a delinquent book are gone for school librarian Scarlett Sherman. After two weeks, the books simply disappear and students love the new technology.

'It's something they enjoy, it's here to stay, I don't think we can fight it. I think we have to support it and that's just what we're trying to do," Sherman said.

But are the students using this opportunity to further their education or are they using it to further their standing on Angry Birds?

"If you look at it from a different aspect, some kids are using it more to help them out in school and not just to mess around all the time," Olson said.

This semester is a trial period to see how students and faculty handle the new found tech freedom and Clary says those who abuse the system, can expect some consequences.

"Just like we have policy in place to deal with a kid that does anything, whether it be bringing tobacco to school or using anything else inappropriately. We have policies in place to address it when it happens".

Some teachers are just as tech savvy as their students, while others may wonder what role they are left to play.

"I think it's going to happen but to be this far in front of things, is a little scary," teacher Hans Bodenhamer explained.

The role doesn't really change, you are there to facilitate instruction. Its just a different tool to use. We don't want anyone to panic, it's a plus, not a negative," Clary commented

The days of slide rulers are long gone at Bigfork High and now it's the students who may have something to teach.

"Students are smarter than us in some respects, with all the apps that they have and all the things they can do with the phone, the sky is the limit," Sherman said.

"If a teacher puts things you need to know for the test the next day, on the board, I'll take out my phone and take a picture, so I don't have to write it down. Then I can back to it later that night and zoom in and check everything out," Sagami told us.

She added that the progressive tech approach at Bigfork High gives her an advantage over other Montana seniors. When she graduates this year, it's not a shopping spree she's after.

'It's an iPhone, It's cool. You know, typical teenager," she concluded.

Superintendent Clary says Bigfork High is the only school in the state to adopt this open technology policy for students.

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