Educational Tech at Hamilton High in Hamilton, Montana

When a server tripped at Hamilton High School earlier this spring, life in Tom Schmit’s biology lab seemingly flashed back to 1980s.

Use of the smartboard technology, which links Schmit’s computer to a projector, was limited. Video and multimedia presentations that stream onto the projector were also off limits.

"You see the benefits of technology when you have all these tools at your disposal and you become dependent on them," Schmit said. "Then you see what it’s like to try to teach without them when that technology fails."

Currently, the Hamilton School District pays for everything tech related – from computers and software to its phone systems to scientific equipment – out of its general fund. It is the only district in Ravalli County that does not collect a technology levy to keep its technology, including the licensing of computer software, updated.

So the school board is again asking the taxpayers to help it with a technology levy. Previous requests were voted down.

by SEPP JANNOTTA

Full Story: http://www.ravallirepublic.com/news/local/education/article_8fe69cfe-51a2-11df-909f-001cc4c002e0.html

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