by Cori Hilsgen
All Saints Academy fifth-grade students were bouncing with excitement for their new Chromebooks donated by the St. Joseph Jaycees.
As the 15 students sat on stability balls by their desks, they commented why they liked the Chromebooks and what they use them for.
Sam O’Donnell said she liked being able to use them for an app called IXL and for solving math problems like mode, median and range.
“We can do just about anything on Chromebooks,” O’Donnell said. “They help us to learn in so many ways: Accelerated Reader tests, Byteback typing, Math Facts Pro, IXL math skills, Spelling/Vocab City, NWEA standardized testing, and research. There is something new to look forward to each day. I am thankful to the Jaycees for donating Chromebooks to our classroom.”
“The best thing about Chromebooks in the classroom is we don’t have to wait to take tests, wait to use the computer lab, and if we have online homework, we can try to get it done at school,” said Jackson Phillip, another ASA student.”This allows more free time at home and for after-school activities.”
“We don’t have to go to the computer lab every time we need to use a computer,” said Bree Muske. “It’s nice to be able to sit on my yoga ball and have all my supplies at my desk as I work with the Chromebooks.”
Emmanuel Kutzera said he used his for Math Facts Pro.
His teacher, Tess Koltes, said students are required to learn addition and subtraction of numbers 0-19 and multiplication and division of numbers 0-12.
Student Emma Kraemer showed how she used a Voice Recognition program on the Chromebook.
Chromebooks are laptops which run on Google’s Chrome OS system instead of Windows programs. Functions are performed in the browser and over the cloud while connected to the Internet.
Koltes said students can tap into apps to use and then use Google Drive to store documents, presentations, spreadsheets and more.
The St. Joseph Jaycees donated 15 Chromebooks and a charging station to the ASA students. Jaycees members Jen Warnert, Janelle Loehlein, Joe Bye, Tim Nelson and Rachel Holmstrom visited with the students recently after making the donation.
When Warnert asked if the children liked the new Chromebooks, there was a loud chorus of students shouting “Yes.”
“Most of our donations aren’t (made) in person, and (so) visiting the school was a great opportunity for our group to see one of our actions in action,” Warnert said. “The students’ enthusiasm about our donation was infectious and made me very proud to be a part of an organization as generous as the St. Joseph Jaycees. The children seemed to really enjoy the learning process the Chromebooks offer and facilitate. Tess Koltes was extremely grateful and we appreciated all of her kind words as well.”
The Chromebooks donation was made after Koltes happened to mention to another Jaycees member, Rose Janssen, that ASA students needed more Chromebooks. Because there were some possible funds available, Janssen told her to submit a request, which she did.
“I want to thank the St. Joe Jaycees for the Chromebooks and the storage cart,” Koltes said. “My students are thrilled to have them for a tool to assist their learning. I look forward to learning even more applications for the students to use. It makes research, writing and math practice very easy. Plus, it motivates students to learn”
Because of the donation of the Chromebooks by the Jaycees, all fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students at ASA now have Chromebooks to use during their school days.
Principal Karl Terhaar said the Chromebooks allow for easier computer/Internet access and provide greater mobility as to when and where students can do computer work.
“Students are very comfortable using technology,” Terhaar said. “It’s an educational tool that is highly engaging to students and provides more enriching learning opportunities. Teachers can quickly provide feedback on students’ writings and projects via Google Drive. There is so much good educational material and apps available online for students.”
He said computers are replacing a lot of research time that was previously spent in the library, and ASA staff work with students to teach them to recognize reputable and trustworthy sites on the Internet.
ASA technology director Terry Elliott said the Chromebooks help him prepare students for the future.
“Our Chromebooks initiative is a vital part of our vision for students to have access to the digital tools and learning environments that they will need to succeed at the middle/high school level and beyond,” Elliott said. “As the world moves on with innovations in technology, development of 21st Century skills is more important than ever.”
Jaycees member Tim Nelson said it was fun to see the Chromebooks being used by the students.
“There has been a lot of advancements in education since I’ve been in school and the Chromebooks are just one of those tools that makes learning fun and more efficient,” Nelson said. “I enjoyed getting a tour of the school and to see how the students were using the Chromebooks donated by the St. Joe Jaycees. Please support any events the Jaycees do as the money is used locally and this is just one example of what the group is doing out there in your community.”
Warnert said the St. Joseph Jaycees is always looking for new members to join them in serving and giving to the area. For more information, visit them at facebook.com/StJosephJayceesMN or email them at [email protected].