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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2013-12-04, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, December 4, 2013 MDHS, Avon Maitland makes big investment in technology CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 1 students go out and create video demonstrations of the problem to go with the equa- tion. For example, students filmed two different size tires rolling toward a target to figure out which one would hit the target first and how much sooner. They created the equa- tion based on that experiment. Because the technology will be purchased by the board, all students will have the same access and opportunities. It promotes equity and inclu- sion, Doherty said. Lynette Geddes, trustee for West Perth, St. Marys and Perth South, said there was some feedback from parents about the iPad use at the par- ent council meeting held Nov. 25 in Mitchell. "People don't want it to be about the technology - they don't want their kids learning how to use the iPad, they want their kids to learn how to use the iPad as a tool to further their education," she explained. "The parents are concerned, will their kids be sitting there playing games instead of doing their home- work? Will they be texting with their friends instead of listen- ing to the teacher? There's lots of ways of using the technol- ogy as a tool and that's the crit- ical thing:' Even though he was not able to attend the launch, Jer- emy Brock, vice principal at Seaforth Public School, was thrilled with the announce- ment and believes students are fully aware of the many advantages that come with new technology. "The kids are really excited, but it's not about playing games," he said. "It's about having different opportunities to express themselves and ways to share the understand- ing and the knowledge they've got. I think when parents see what their kids can produce they'll be amazed:' t r- _ell I !ii _g g 4,--11--• /0 You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS CHURCH 21Jarvis St. Seaforth Rector The Rev. Karine Farmer Rectory 519-482-9071 Church Office 519-527-1522 Sunday December 8th Worship at 9:30 am Followed by Special Vestry Meeting All members please attend St. Nick's Children's Christmas Shopping Day Sat. Dec. 7 from 9am - noon Ages 3-13 Everyone welcome ST. JAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH WELCOMES YOU 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 519-345-2972 Sun. Mass 11 a.m. ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN Sat. Mass 5 p.m. Sun. Mass 9 a.m. FR. CHRIS GILLESPIE BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Pastor Mark Kennedy Sunday School for all ages 9:45-10:45 SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11 a.m. Wednesday Evenings • Youth Groups - Junior & Senior High 6:30 to 9 p.m. • Boys & Girls Club JK to Gr. 6 7 - 8:15 p.m. • Adult Bible Study 7 p.m. 81- EVERYONE WELCOME EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH Pastor Steve Hildebrand Youth Coordinator - Laura Nakamura 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT WORSHIP DEC 8TH 11 A.M. Evening Service at Seaforth Golf & Country Club, 7:30 p.m. Youth Sunday School at 11 a.m. Adults @ 10 a.m. Please join us for all our activities. Website: www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH MINISTER MARY FLETCHER Sunday, Dec. 8th 2nd Sunday of Advent Regular Service You are welcome to worship with us 54 Goderich St. W. 6, 519-527-1449N www.cavannorthsideunited.ca FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Rev. Linda Moffatt Lorrie Baker - Organist Worship Sunday, Dec. 8th . Sunday School & Nursery Provided. el . Office Hours Wed. 9 a.m. - noon. MAKI NG 0.7:COM Ft-riciNs Scott Wishart, QM Agency Director of education Ted Doherty announces plans Nov. 26 in Mitchell to distribute iPad 2s to about 475 pupils in the Avon Maitland District School Board, including Grade 7 & 8 students at Mitchell District High School (MDHS). For Brock, the program not only shows the school board's commitment to its students but to the entire community as well. "An advantage like this for our small rural district is amazing. It's one of those things that will really benefit students down the road and hopefully lead to things like more technology - related jobs in the area." Grade 8 student, Jill Contois, is just as excited about the iPads as her fellow classmate Austin. "You think back to people like my parents, they wouldn't have had any of these opportunities. It's going to enhance our learning so much," said Contois, noting that using iPads will help students with different strengths. I %HELL (15 DerAtP Rfl STRATFORD I %5 r• 51. Piro A cJin1dra lik:14R-0017 bra.m.itga T.v+s way Lr.- • 1-to.u.L is ma iNcui.S.X1.1110111 {0.71 •5:51:91{170. Luoia. •414.mo L enaL 1,:aed•L .14.41P411 1.1.4. 4 M.M.1.14 141•41:141411 I 16 Ilgoli11•44 — : F QM_ IIILE 41. 7%721 PRAM Pe., • Usborrie Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company ES/WEL/SHED JN 1876 Resideritiai, Farrn & Commercial Properties Head Office - 507 Main St. S. Exeter 519-235-0350 wwvvi_usborneancihibbert,ca "We have this one app called 'explain everything' - you can record yourself if you're nervous or you can play something. (It's great) for people who are auditory learners that can't just read something and understand - they need to be able to hear it, and for visual learners, they have to be able to see it:' MDHS principal Emma Bannerman suggested the technology is a critical part of a progressive education. Technology is changing quickly and the goal is to pre- pare kids for jobs that don't exist yet. "I'm excited because they don't need the teacher I had. They need a teacher for the 21st century and this gives me the tool to be the teacher they need," said Grade 8 teacher Joey Jackson. While schools will always teach reading, writing and math there will also be an emphasis on collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, communication and problem solving. Using the iPads, pupils will have access to experts all over the world in a matter of sec- onds. They will also be able to collaborate in the classroom and from home on snow days. Grade 8 student, Mason Watcher from Seaforth Public School, explained that giving kids the ability to have an iPad at their disposal outside of school hours may help them become more inter- ested in doing homework. "It gets you a bit more excited to do the work," he said, adding kids will be less likely to fall behind in school due to the added accessibil- ity. "Even if you miss a couple days from being sick, you can get your work sent to you and still work on it from your house:' The iPads they get now will be theirs to keep right through high school. Pupils had a lot of excited questions. "What happens if you break it? Do you have to pay for it?" The iPads are under a two- year warranty. Board techni- cians trained by Apple will fix them after that. The board doesn't have a policy yet if an iPad is lost. "How many gigs?" It's 16 gigabytes. "Do we have to have only school apps or can we have our own apps?" As long as there's nothing illegal or immoral on the device everything else is fair game. "What colour? Black "Can we take it on vacation?" The board hasn't sorted out what happens during the summer, but over March break the iPads can be taken anywhere. Whitney South Huron Expositor Laura Ashwin and Mason Watcher, Grade 8 students at Seaforth Public School, examine the many features available on the iPad2. Both say they're very excited to be receiving their own piece of technology as part of the Avon Maitland District School Board's "one-to-one" program.