Jessieville School District does its homework

JESSIEVILLE — Students in the small Jessieville community gain experience with cutting-edge learning tools that provide them content in “real time” with new virtual reality equipment and the

Oculus Rift.

Instead of having their heads in text books all day, they will have their heads in a virtual reality headset, which allows them to see the parts and hear the sounds from inside the human body, explore foreign cities and wander through an African jungle teeming with wild animals. The Jessieville School District is taking a leap toward technology in the classroom to engage students in ways like never before.

“This equipment will change the way our students think about learning,” said Patrice Klitz, Jessieville communications facilitator. “It will feel more like the games they play at home, but they will interact with learning challenges as they navigate.”

Jessieville High School added two new programs for its focus on career and technical education. Based on the results of a student interest survey and the leadership team’s research, the district added an agriculture program to the curriculum. Students will take woodworking, get more involved in 4-H content and engage with skills pertinent to multiple industries. The district is invested in providing skilled-workers who are in high-demand as the work force climate continues to evolve.

Another CTE-related improvement is making headlines. A tremendous amount of effort and funding is going into the newly renovated broadcasting department. Additions of industry-leading live broadcasting equipment creates an opportunity for the district to broadcast live events, stream live football and basketball games, and create content equal to that of a television broadcasting studio. The latest software transforms the classroom into a professional studio.

The community is looking forward to an explosive new culture of learning as the students engage with technology, prepare for new ways of looking at their futures and focus on life beyond high school.

“These changes are the result of the district’s commitment to leading the way in preparing students for the career paths fitting the needs of today’s industry,” Klitz said.

The district is investing in the community through the students, taking engagement to another level and, ultimately, changing the course of students’ futures.