Lynchburg schools say iPods will help boost student scores

Lynchburg City Schools students will soon get their hands on more than 800 iPod Touch units to be purchased with part of a $1.4 million federal grant, the division announced Tuesday.

School officials said they want to use the units in the classroom to help boost math and English Standards of Learning test scores.

The Lynchburg City Schools teamed up to apply for the competitive technology grant with Roanoke City Schools and two private schools: New Vistas School in Lynchburg and Roanoke Catholic School. The $1.4 million, which will be shared among the participating Lynchburg and Roanoke schools, comes through stimulus funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

Lynchburg City Schools Public Information Officer Leigh Farmer said that the grant funds one iPod for every 10 students.

The grant announcement arrives at a time when the Lynchburg City Schools are facing a potential reduction in funds of more than $8 million for next year and the likelihood of across-the-board cuts.

Lynchburg City Schools Network Administrator Doug Wickham stressed that the grant opportunity was limited to new technology and can’t be used to save teacher positions. Four other school division partnerships across the state will receive money for other projects, but Wickham said that both Lynchburg and Roanoke schools specifically requested to try out iPod Touch units in classrooms.

Wickham said that the school division already has some laptops for classroom use, but he thinks teachers will be better able to incorporate the iPod Touch devices because they are more portable, have longer battery life, and most applications are either free or cost between $1 and $2.

Students could use math applications to practice SOL skills, Wickham said. They could listen to audio books, use the units to submit answers during class or do research online.

He emphasized that the division wants the iPod Touch units as a means to better teach reading and math, not because they think students need to be introduced to the devices.

“We don’t want them to focus on the touching and the fanciness of the iPod Touch,” Wickham said. “The technology is just a tool. If we do it right, the tool should be irrelevant.”

The units are expected to arrive this spring. The school division plans to conduct training for teachers in how to use the devices. The plan is for the iPods to be kept on carts in sets of 24 or so and made available in all the division’s schools. Students would not personally own the devices.

New Vistas School development director Marianne Ramsey said she is excited her school will also receive a handful of iPod Touch units through the grant.

Ramsey believes that the touch units will help boost classroom instruction. According to Ramsey, the school helps many students who have learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Ramsey said she thinks new technology can make learning more fun for students and keep them engaged.

“What we are excited about is that it is another way to reach our kids,” Ramsey said. “iPod Touches are a really good way to get to these kids and meet them where they are.”