Calhoun Times

Gordon County Schools announces 1:1 technology initiative

- Staff Reports

Gordon County Schools is pleased to announce its districtwi­de 1: 1 technology initiative, which will put an iPad into the hands of each K- 12 student in the school district.

“We are excited about the opportunit­ies this initiative will provide our faculty and our students,” said Dr. Susan Remillard, superinten­dent of Gordon County Schools. “Under the supervisio­n of an accomplish­ed teaching staff, Gordon County Schools’ students will have access to cutting- edge resources that will serve as a complement to the quality instructio­n they already receive in classrooms on a daily basis and make them more competitiv­e in a future workforce. We are grateful to those who supported our most recent eSPLOST, which has provided the financial support that will allow us to make this possible for our students.”

Meant as a tool for instructio­n, not a replacemen­t of the classroom teacher, the iPads will allow students to further their education in a way that is more personaliz­ed and engaging.

This announceme­nt comes on the heels of three years of in- depth research into how other systems across the country have implemente­d this type of initiative. Additional­ly, multiple surveys and conversati­ons with various groups of stakeholde­rs, including students, faculty, parents, and Local School Governance Team members, informed the decision on how to move forward with this initiative. These groups considered the types of devices, as well as the operating system, cost efficiency and durability of each device before coming to an overwhelmi­ng consensus that the iPad for all grade levels would be the best option.

Teachers can expect to receive their new devices mid-March 2017 for the purposes of profession­al learning and training that will take place over the next several months. Students will begin receiving devices in the fall, following the Labor Day holiday. As the date draws closer, look for more informatio­n and answers to frequently­asked questions.

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CONTRIBUTE­D PHOTO

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