Riverview School District

Metro students get iPods

School District 2 is hoping the use of additional technology in the classroom will boost student motivation and learning.

The district, which administers English schools in southeast New Brunswick, has been involved in a research project that has seen 125 students at Riverview Middle School, along with teachers and administrators, have access to iPod Touch units over the last two years.

On the handheld devices, Grade 7 students could access books and other interactive features. The goal of the research project was to see if there was an improvement in learning and in attitudes toward learning when technology was brought into the classroom.

"A lot of students have their own iPod, so once they're taught how to use it as an educational tool, we're hoping they'll continue to use it that way," says Elizabeth Nowlan, acting director of education for the district.

The project is a partnership with Apple Canada, the University of South Maine and Red Ball Internet.

Mario Chiasson, the district's K-12 technology and information communication technology co-ordinator, is leading the project.

"I was always intrigued by what kind of impact (technology) was having on an organization, but also for learning," he says.

Chiasson is currently working on a report based on the findings of the project and wouldn't reveal any specific information until it is complete.

But anecdotally, he says the results are positive.

"The integration of those (information communication technology) devices has had a significant impact on the attitude on student learning," he says. "The research says that there's a direct correlation about the willingness to engage, the willingness to innovate and the willingness to create."

A video highlighting District 2's iPod project at Riverview Middle School can be found online at YouTube.com by searching "21st Century Education Series: My E-Backpack" It features testimonials from students explaining that they use technology constantly outside of school and are happy to see it brought into the classroom.

Teachers and administrators also had access to the technology, and as a part of the project, iPads have been purchased for all 38 of District 2's principals.

The purpose, Nowlan explains, is to get principals into the classroom more often to monitor classroom activity.

She wouldn't divulge the cost of the purchase because it is part of the partnership between Apple Canada and the University of South Maine. iPads typically sell for around $500.

RIVERVIEW: Supt. Dennis Desmarais leaves school district after 36 ...

Craig Farrand, a former managing editor of The News-Herald Newspapers, blogs about educational issues. As a former consultant to public school districts, an adjunct journalism professor and a part-time high school teacher, Craig has asked the question, "Why?" plenty of times. He hopes to elicit more of those questions - and some answers along the way, too - through this blog.

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