Huntington Elem. purchases I-pads with trustland monies

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One of the requirements each year for the use of the trustlands monies is to announce and advertise where the money is used and what has been purchased. The Huntington Elementary Trustlands committee takes seriously their job to make the best decisions that will see the best results for the students of Huntington Elementary. The trustlands monies have been spent wisely over the years. This year is no different. As part of continued support for items they have purchased in the past, part of the trustlands monies will go toward consumable books to accompany programs already in place.
Trustlands committee members said, “As technology changes almost daily, we feel this is the greatest priority for the trustlands monies for this year. We will be using the trustlands money to build a new computer station in our school with I-Pads. We will be able to purchase 30 I-Pads for a fee of $499 each. This special deal is being offered to schools. This purchase will total approximately $14,970. We feel this is a valuable use of the trustlands money.
“The versatility of the I-Pad will be very useful in a classroom setting. Apps are the inexpensive way to go in using these I-Pads to their optimal benefit. For example, an app with a selection of a particular book can be shared among all the I-Pads and 30 students can be reading the same book at the same time on the I-Pad and they can receive special instructions from their teachers at the same time.
“Reading and comprehension is a big concern at all times for school children. Students must learn to read, but they must also learn to interpret and make sense of what they read so they can test and answer questions regarding content. Working as a group on the same application offers many advantages to students. There are apps which test and question the students on what they have read. The possibilities are really endless to what this technology can do for students in the classroom.
“One great way to teach students math is by playing math games. The math apps for the I-Pads are a great and interactive way for math to come alive for the student. All of the students will be able to work individually on areas where they need the most help. There are tests available to gauge and determine the learning that is taking place.
“As changes in testing take place all the time and new requirements and methodologies are implemented, the Huntington Elementary students will be ready, because they have been introduced to a variety of testing methods. Their test results will improve due to their drilling on required subjects in conjunction with their I-Pad use.
“In addition to extensive drilling there will be special emphasis on multiplication and division.
“There are great applications available to enhance reading and comprehension. The phonics programs and phonics awareness will help students in spelling and all aspects of reading and retention.
“The applications will enhance and supplement what the teachers are teaching the students. Concepts and skills will be reinforced.
“The I-Pad lab will be available for the teachers to check-out for use by their class of students. Having enough I-Pads for an entire class will be a great asset to our school. Teaching a smaller group of students can be beneficial as skill sets are different with all students. As students are placed in smaller groups added learning can take place on a more individual basis.
“Another aspect where I-Pads come in handy is for reteaching. When ideas, concepts and programs are reintroduced and reviewed prior to testing and as a brush-up when the students come back from summer break.
“The reading apps really help the students with their fluency. Their reading is increased. It’s fun for them, and they choose to read more on their own.
“Special apps are available that address the needs of the younger students. They will expand and grow their vocabulary abilities. They will learn letter naming, sounds and identification of words. Older students will have writing apps that encourage creative writing and actual handwriting skills.
“One great app is the storyline application where a story is started and then the student will finish the story in their own words and develop an alternative ending. These type of opportunities allow the imagination to flow.
“The Huntington Elementary students will be tested in all required areas and we will measure the test scores to watch for improvement once the I-Pad use is implemented,” said committee members.
Huntington Elementary has been able to enhance the learning of their students with the trustland monies that come into the school each year.