SPSC receives Digital Learning Grant

South Putnam Community Schools was one of only 21 corporations to receive the 2016 Digital Learning Grant when the Indiana Department of Education (DOE) announced the recipients on March 14.

Each school will receive $75,000 of the $1.5 million the DOE has awarded to "support schools or school districts that are ready to implement or expand a 1:1 technology plan."

"In today's fast-paced, technology-driven society, grants like this are more important than ever," Glenda Ritz, Indiana's Superintendent of Public Instruction, said. "Importantly, this grant provides schools with the resources they need to expand student access to technology in the classroom."

In South Putnam's case, most of the award will be used to provide in-class devices to the third and fourth grades by January 2017. The fifth grades have already been provided with in-class devices. If all goes according to plan, the high school students will receive take-home devices this fall and the middle school students in fall 2017.

"The school board, administration, teachers, students and the entire community have supported this effort, and it is exciting to see the work pay off for our students," Tona Gardner, Director of Cirriculum Instruction and Technology Integration, said. "In a short time this initiative has really picked up momentum. By the fall of 2017 students in grades 3-12 will have 1:1 access and a learning environment that is increasingly empowering, creative and connected."

Some of the funds will also be used to help teachers "build creative, rigorous learning environments that prepare students."

"The Digital Learning Initiative is not just a 1:1 transition," Director Gardner said. "We are moving from a teacher-centered instruction model to one that is more student-centered, in which students work with teachers to identify and fill learning gaps."

The DOE received applications from a total of 84 school districts, and Samantha Hart, press secretary for the DOE, said that the 21 schools who made the cut "demonstrate a strong vision and action plan for effectively implementing technology in the classroom. Additionally, a high value is placed on those schools or districts that have a significant investment in professional development and network infrastructure."

Director Gardner credited South Putnam's award to the help she received from teachers Tiffany Dickson, Jill McCammack, Rebecca Phillips and Zach Love.

"This well reflected the teacher commitment to this plan," Director Gardner said.

More information about 1:1 technology integration at South Putnam Community Schools is available at sputnamtechnology.weebly.com.

The Greencastle Community School Corporation was also an award recipient in 2015, which allowed the corporation to purchase devices for the third to fifth grades at Tzouanakis Intermediate School. More information about 1:1 technology in Greencastle Schools can be found at https://goo.gl/rqKf5r .

A full list of other schools receiving this year's award (and other information about the digital learning grant) can be found at www.doe.in.gov.