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Tech Talk Beats Book Blues, According to Students in W.Va. Save Email Print
Posted: 5:51 PM Sep 2, 2008
Last Updated: 9:55 PM Sep 2, 2008
Reporter: Will Jones
Email Address: will.jones@wsaz.com

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KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The educators asked and students responded loud and clear about what they want in their schools.

5,000 students responded to an on-line survey from the West Virginia Department of Education.

You won't be surprised to see the majority of students prefer technology over books.

"If we are reading them, it's really boring," Jamie Vermillon said. "It would just be easier for me to learn. I learn with technology very fast."

She's not alone. Nearly 70% of students surveyed across West Virginia agree. They want iPods and laptops to be a part of their education.

"I think we need to have more technology and interactive things," Morgan Vance, another student, said.

It's not just a goal of the students, but a plan for the Department of Education to make technology a part of the every day lesson plan.

"We would like to recreate schools to be very typical of the world around us when we get out of school," Dr. Steven Paine, Superintendent of WV Schools, said.

Getting there might be difficult. They survey revealed students feel some of their teachers are behind the times.

"They're digital natives. They have grown up with technology. It's something that is just second-hand to them, whereas we have to work. Those of us who are digital immigrants work technology into our task daily," Dr. Paine said.

Students from grades 5-12 participated in the survey.

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Posted by: teacher on Sep 15, 2008 at 10:17 PM
How about the students learning the basics before depending on technology. One, technology has to be available. The students need to learn concepts first, including correct word usage. I think the area of the school has to be taken into consideration. Not all students use technology outside of the classroom. Those of us that try to teach technology to those students, lose too much time just trying to get them logged onto a computer. The students get frustrated, the teacher gets frustrated and valuable time is lost. Not all students have the resources to know anything about technology and the internet. Lets get back to basics and teach technology in high school. How about learning to multiply and divide.

Posted by: teacher on Sep 3, 2008 at 06:13 AM
all technology is worthy of use as long as it doesn't hinder. The only problem is unless you are the new school in putnam county, you have to deal with limited technology. Most schools only have one or two elmos, intelliboards, laptops, projectors etc... Give teachers all of the tools and they will use them. Evem digital cameras and camcorders are worth the classroom experience.

Posted by: Rick on Sep 2, 2008 at 09:07 PM
Ok...the students have spoken...let's put our money where our mouths are...

Posted by: taylor on Sep 2, 2008 at 06:08 PM
I think if we were aloud to use cell phones, ipods, and laptops during school, our school work would get turned in on time,and our grades will get better. i work better with music, i know that for sure. and laptops would be awesome too. and the cell phones part, i mean. there is the internet on that too. so we should be aloud to use all digital technology during school, without permission and not get in trouble.(:

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