The latest in educational technology introduced to Miami elementary students

In an effort to increase student learning and academic achievement, the Miami R-I School District I-Pad One-to-One Initiative is underway. On January 3, 2012, preschool - 6th grade students and parents learned about the new learning tool in an evening full of excitement at Miami Elementary.

I-Pads are fun, focused, personalized and differentiated. Applications have been programmed for the core subjects. They are designed to help kids with specific needs, and will help teachers teach at different levels within the classroom. In addition, the I-Pads will give students immediate feedback as it will be automatically graded.

Mastery Connect links student I-Pad applications to the teachers I-Pads. If a quiz is given, the students I-Pads will immediately send the graded data to the teacher. The teacher will know if the students understood the lesson, or if he/she needs to focus more attention in a certain academic area. It will also help identify students in need of extra assistance.

In his first year as the Miami Superintendent, Frank Dahman expresses his enthusiasm. “I am excited about the opportunity for learning. We are sitting on the cusp of a new frontier. Miami R-I is the only school district in Missouri that all elementary students have an I-Pad and get to take it home. This program is putting us at the cutting edge. It’s really exciting, a rally neat thing.”

Right: Miami third grader Charlee Chambers tries out her new I-Pad with her mom, Dea Chambers.

Far right: Teachers and administrators were on hand to explain how to use the I-Pad to parents and students. Pictured, Sharon Knuth speaks to 5th graders.