Students learn with new classroom technology

Remember the days when students would raise their hand and then write their answers with chalk on the chalkboard?

Well, those days are long gone in this sixth grade classroom at IPS School #391. They're using "virtual ink" and writing on a giant digital screen. The teachers call it "3-D curriculum."

"What makes it amazing in 3-D is that it's interactive, and students can come up and visually move things. they can write on it with a pen, " said teacher Christine Strattman.


Back at their seats, each student has a computer and the information on the digital screen shows up on their laptops, so no more textbooks.

"Ithink it's more fun. It's more exciting because you get to learn beyond what books have," said student Yoselyn Barragan.

Teachers can give lessons on any subject matter and test taking isn't what it used to be! The quiz shows up on the screen and students use a remote control to give their answer.

"The clicker and the student are coordinated so that goes directly into their grade and averages all the grades for me," said Strattman.

Four other teachers at this Montessori school have integrated the 3-D curriculum into their classroom.

"At first because I'm not as savy with computers as I would like to be, it took a while. But now, it's so much easier," said teacher Adele Murphy.

"When you work on paper it takes more time and doing technology is better," said student Wesley Jones.

IPS school officials say teachers are learning to be "21st Century Teachers." They're doing more PowerPoint presentations in the classrooms and students are also creating them.

They're also using what's called electronic mobile units: a system that allows them to move a large number of computers from one classroom to another. As for the 3-D curriculum, teachers used grant money to get the technology.