Eastern Townships School Board announces exciting positive results from Laptop Initiative
Cowansville, December 14, 2005 - The Eastern Townships School Board’s Dennis McCullough Initiative-Enhanced Learning Strategy laptop project is in its third year of deployment and the impact of this technology on student achievement is remarkable! With more than 5600 laptops deployed, the initiative has increased student performance in reading and writing and reduced absenteeism and behavioral problems.
Reading and writing improve with integration of technology
All Cycle Two (grades 3 & 4) students were assessed in reading and writing. The results show a 12% increase in the number of students at level and above and a 13% decrease in the number of students experiencing difficulty after only one year of using laptops. There was also a 100% success rate on the written component of the Response to Literature.
For students in Cycle Three (grades 5 & 6), results, in writing skills, show an 8% increase in the number of students at level and above and an 11% decrease in the number of students at risk of failure. When comparing the results of students who were in grade 4 in 2003 (without laptops) with their grade 6 2005 results (with laptops), there was an increase of 13% in the number of students at level and above and a 13% decrease in the number of students experiencing difficulty or at risk of failure. The French Second Language results show a 27.6 % increase in the success rate for these same students.
Students motivated to learn
The results also show that with the integration of technology, students showed a greater desire to learn. There was a 26% decrease in absenteeism and a 34% decrease in incidents linked to student behaviour. Less days out of the classroom and more time on task lead to increased student success!
The study and analysis are showing that the longer students and teachers effectively integrate technology into the learning and teaching process, the more dramatic the increase in student success. Technology helps level the playing field for our students with special needs and enhances the learning environment for all.
Community outreach through Distance Education
In its efforts to broaden educational opportunities for all, the Eastern Townships School Board will be offering, in January 2006, desktop computers to its eligible distance education students. With the implementation of the Enhanced Learning Strategy, the desktops have been replaced with laptops, offering an opportunity to provide our distance education students with a modern educational tool at an affordable price.
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Source and information :
Sharon Priest
Information Officer
Eastern Townships School Board
priests@etsb.qc.ca
(819) 868-3140
www.etsb.qc.ca