In 2015, voters in District 196 approved dedicated funding for technology tools to personalize learning. Early on, educators developed a clear digital learning framework with a balance between books, paper-pencil, project-based, and technology tools. Ten years later, students use technology to enhance academics and build critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong digital citizenship skills.
Launching Into a Digital World
In our high schools, technology tools are deeply integrated to inspire critical thinking, collaboration, and career preparation.
"Teaching and learning has changed tremendously in the last decade," career development instructor Tabitha Senty said. "Technology allows us to make sure kids get what they need, when they need it, and how they need it."
Students actively access, create, and analyze information. Some are learning coding languages and designing their own apps.
Early exposure to technology careers can change lives. Senty shared that several alums have reached out to say that skills learned in high school classes led them to careers in cybersecurity and other tech fields.
Across the district, the goal is to ensure that students graduate with not just academic knowledge but also the digital skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven world.
“We are trying to produce students who can step out of the school system and be productive,” science teacher Joe Christman said. “When they step outside our doors, no matter where they go, they’re entering a digital world.”
Fostering Independence
Technology also plays a critical role in helping students become more independent learners.
“We’re trying to foster more and more independence,” said sixth-grade English language arts teacher Sarah Trudeau. “They need to start learning how to think critically and problem-solve on their own,” beginning in middle school.
Technology also enables teachers to meet a variety of learning styles. Brianna Dawson, who teaches seventh-grade U.S. studies, said technology helps every learner engage with the material through words, images, movies, and interactive lessons.
Beyond technical skills, teachers focus on building digital citizenship to enable students to be critical consumers and positive contributors online.
“Collaboration through tech is useful, and it allows students to share their voice, creativity, learning, and understanding in real time,” Dawson said.
Sparking Curiosity
In elementary classrooms, technology supports learning and encourages curiosity. Teachers use tablets and apps to make lessons more interactive, provide real-time feedback, and focus on individual student needs.
Rather than replacing traditional learning, technology complements it. Teachers like Taryn MacGibbon display lessons from their iPads, allowing students to follow along closely. Self-graded online quizzes save time and quickly give teachers insights into student understanding.
“There are also a lot of opportunities for students to create on their iPads,” MacGibbon said. Students use programs like Book Creator and iMovie to show their creativity.
“Learning with technology has definitely sparked curiosity,” said parent Megan Wall. “Kids are more apt to find answers for themselves.”
Teachers emphasize that while technology is powerful, it’s important to learn balance. “It’s very beneficial to have students experience a proper way to use technology where it’s not consuming their lives and not relying on it completely,” MacGibbon said. “It’s all about balance.”
Across District 196, access to technology tools inspires research, independence, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving — preparing students to be the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.