February 11, 2009

Grant enables school to upgrade classroom technology

By Denver Catholic Register

A $34,000 grant to St. Pius X School in Aurora has enabled the school to purchase and install 11 interactive white boards called Smart Boards that teachers will use to engage students in the learning process.

The grant was a gift from the Morgridge Family Foundation. The foundation holds that interactive instructional technology will enhance student achievement, teacher engagement, and retention.  In the last 10 months, the foundation has donated more than $2.3 million to schools and school districts around the state.

St. Pius X School received its grant in December, said Principal Mark Strawbridge. The boards were installed by the end of January.

“Smart Boards combine the simple use of a whiteboard with the technology of a computer,” explained Strawbridge. “(They) are connected to a desk/laptop computer. The boards are touch sensitive, so the teacher can manipulate the information being presented.

“We want this type of technology for several reasons,” he continued. “First and foremost is to engage the student with interactive lessons and the opportunity for the child to take away more information than usual.  If the student is engaged, then the chance of learning improves.”

The boards update the school’s technology and improve its curriculum, Strawbridge said, adding that the grant award requires teachers to participate in training seminars to help them use the new technology in their classrooms. 

“St. Pius eventually plans to provide Smart technology in all of our classrooms,” Strawbridge said.