Knoxville — Knoxville Schools' administrative staff met with an Apple Computers representative Wednesday morning to learn about the company's One to One program. 

This is the program that helps the school provide a laptop computer to classes of students. The Apple representative said the number of participants in Iowa has grown in the last three years, and by next fall, 20 percent of Iowa's schools will be participating in some way. 

Prairie City-Monroe is taking part in the program this year. We sat down with PCM High School Principal Scott Bridges in September to discuss how the program was going. That story is below. For a report on Knoxville's meeting with Apple, pick up a copy of the Dec. 3 Journal-Express. 

Students in grades 6-12 in the Prairie City-Monroe (PCM) School District were each given new Apple MacBook laptop computers this school year. PCM High School Principal Scott Bridges says the opportunities presented and use of the computers have been good for the district.

The PCM School Board gave its approval to purchase a total of 680 computers. With the students, every teacher in the district also received a computer. The district's agreement with Apple Computers will cost the district roughly $1 million over the next four years. At the end of those four years, the laptops will belong to the district. The board can either choose to sell the computers or use them for trade-in value for a new set of laptops. The program through which the district purchased these computers is called One to One.

Everyone in the district has his/her own e-mail address. Students have their own Web sites. Bridges reports that teachers now assign, distribute and receive assignments via e-mail.

Though the Internet is utilized for assignments, Bridges said teachers remain sensitive to those students who may not have access to the Internet at home. Due dates are assigned to allow all students time to e-mail their work from school without missing the deadline. Most of the assignments can be downloaded to the student's desktop to allow him or her to do the work at home.

The technology has been used by the district's talented and gifted students. In addition to the laptops, equipped with the appropriate software, students can check out cameras and other accessories for video projects. The videos are built on their computers and many of the students post their videos on their individual Web sites.

Shop students utilize the computers by viewing safety videos and taking tests online. Without any books or paper, the students can pass the tests and go to work in the shop.

Bridges said PCM representatives visited the Van Meter School District last year. They wanted to learn more about the logistics of giving every student a laptop and see a similar program in action.

To accommodate the increased number of students accessing the Internet, the district also incurred costs of increasing its bandwidth. PCM purchased all-new Apple servers for the project and the district is in the process of purchasing liquid crystal display projectors in every room. Through all of this, PCM class rooms can connect with others throughout the world.

“It instantly becomes more of a global class room,” Bridges said.

Though the paper consumption at PCM will be greatly reduced through this program, Bridges said the district is not ready to abandon textbooks. Most textbook companies are still trying to find the best way to make their materials available to districts online. The online textbooks available now would not save the district much money at this point. Bridges said the decision will lie with the teacher if he or she can find a curriculum that meets the district's goals by using an online textbook, the online material can be used.

The laptops may give PCM students an advantage when they leave the district. Bridges said he has talked with PCM alumni, who have told him that classes, even those based on campus, have moved to more online work. PCM students will know how online classes work before they leave high school, and may not need as much time to learn the fundamentals as other students may need.

PCM has taken precautionary measures with the laptops. Every one is insured against loss or damage. Parents participate in any repair costs their children may incur. Each laptop comes with a padded carrying case for safe transport. Students will return their laptops in the summer, and each computer will be “wiped” before it is returned in the fall.

As for online safety, a student can choose whether or not his or her Web site is public or private. Each laptop is equipped with the district's filter to block inappropriate Web sites, or any other that may potentially pose a distraction from school work.

“Students seem to be more into education,” Bridges said.

The impact, overall, has been positive. Students are impressed with the technology.

Senior Stephanie Hadyen and Freshman Lucas Rains both say the resources the laptops provide are great. The ability to e-mail questions to a teacher instead of raising one's hand has improved communication. Work has become easier, from the students' perspective, as they no longer have to worry about whether or not there will be a computer available in the lab. Videos and other material make it easier, and more fun to learn, the students said.

Teachers are learning how to use the technology to improve their methods. Bridges said the district is sensitive to teachers who may be nervous about this, and are easing the teachers into the change.

“We want (teachers) using (the laptops),” Bridges said. Apple is sending a representative to PCM for four days of inservice to train the teachers.