Goodrich- Area schools are upgrading their computer systems byte by byte.
With about 800 computers district wide, Goodrich students are access to technology that literally puts learning at their fingertips.
An influx of more than 100 new computers this summer, the trend toward keeping kids current is promising to hold steady. The computers come in conjunction with Goodrich Schools participation with the PC Life Cycle program, which focuses upon district need to keep current with technology.
Goodrich Schools technology specialist Sally Urbain said the Life Cycle program is a boon to the education of students with regards to computer use.
‘With the PC Life Cycle especially, we are so grateful for new equipment,? said Urbain.. ‘It is very needed.?
‘You’re only as good as the computer will let you be,? said Urbain. ‘You have to stay up with (technology) to keep the children’s interest. It needs to keep being updated.?
Sharon Roberts, another tech specialist for Goodrich schools, agreed.
‘We are given a lot of support as far as trying new things,? said Roberts. ‘It’s important for the district to have upgraded and current tech? it does nobody any good to have (computers) sitting in the back room? because they can’t be used.
‘We try to get the best for our money and still meet the needs of the community,? said Roberts.
Roberts said a failure on the part of a school to provide students with current, functioning technology fosters frustration on the part of the student.
Students in Goodrich are introduced to the computer in a school setting as early as kindergarten, said Urbain. ‘They have little CD Roms for math or whatever the subject is that is appropriate for their age level.?
Kids are taught how to log onto a network server in second grade and are expected to complete Power Point presentations in third grade, said Roberts.
Both women remarked on the consistency of the technology available to the students.
‘A student can sit down at any computer at any building and have pretty much the same thing,? said Roberts.
In addition to classroom computers, students have use of seven computer labs in the high school, five in the middle school and one both Oaktree and Reid Elementary Schools.
Parents are often able to benefit from the technology as well.
Urbain said parents can now check their child’s grades, schedule, transcripts and transcripts on-line. Additionally, parents are able to change the address school information is mailed to and pay for student lunch over the Internet.
Teachers are able to utilize the modern setup by posting homework assignments, alerting students to upcoming quizzes and tests and communicating with parents via email if they so choose.
In addition to keeping students motivated and interested in learning with technology, Roberts said it is ultimately beneficial for students entering the work force to learn on updated systems.
‘If we give them (Microsoft’s Windows) 98, what good is that good to do them in the working world,? asked Roberts.