School-provided laptops offer 'access to the world outside Crescent'
Teachers say the computers provide more learning options
School-provided laptops offer 'access to the world outside Crescent'

CRESCENT — Last year 17-year-old Macey Wilson didn't have a home computer.

This year, administrators and teachers at Crescent High School are preparing Wilson and her 200 classmates for the digital world.

Each of the high school students now has a laptop computer on which they do nearly all of their schoolwork and tests. Administrators saved $300,000 over five years to purchase the laptops, which administrators say are the key to their students' success.

"I just think we have so much more access to the world outside Crescent,” said Wilson, a senior. "It's very convenient to have that (laptop) over your shoulder all the time.”

Students have the option of taking the 13-inch Macintosh laptops home or leaving them at school.

To take them home, they must purchase a $70 insurance policy. They also must agree to abide by the district's Internet usage policy.

"The goal is to prepare kids for today's society,” said Michael Wininger, technology director. "Truly, we're trying to move away from the textbook. The truth about the textbook is it's old by the time it gets to the classroom. I think it gives our kids a leg up.”

Crescent teachers use the laptops to varying degrees in their classrooms.

Some teachers post assignments on an online course management system.

Math teacher Jan Willson said students work at their own pace in her classroom, and the computer program generates tests, which are different for each student. Willson said she can monitor progress so she can make common quizzes.

She said she misses teaching in front of the class but lectures once a week to go over skills students should be learning.

The online program has allowed her more time for student interaction, she said.

"If you've got a group of 20, you don't always have a lot of time after a lecture to get around and help each one,” Willson said.

McCormick said students can read the book online, highlight text and make notes on their laptops.

McCormick, who is in her 25th year of teaching, took three years of professional development along with fellow teachers to prepare for the switch. She said she worked all summer to get ready and is excited about the possibilities the laptops can offer.

"If you'd asked me a year ago, I'd have said I could never do this,” McCormick said.

Senior Dustin Pollard, 17, said having the laptops and Web-based instruction teaches students responsibility because they not only have to keep up with the laptop, they must go online to find their assignments.

"That's what they're trying to do here is prepare us for college,” Pollard said.

Superintendent Steve Shiever said technology is as important as core classes, and his plan is to continue to provide laptops. He said after a couple of years, he'd like to start selling students their laptops as they leave for college.

"Around the world, educators are promoting technology-based education,” Shiever said. "Our students can compete with anyone in the world now.”

Contributing: Staff Writers Jesse Olivarez and Jennifer Griswold

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