Anonymous gift of iPads has Paxson School students performing at higher level

In the week before Christmas break, the silence was deafening in Julie Line’s kindergarten class at Paxson Elementary http://www.mcps.k12.mt.us/portal/Default.aspx?alias=www.mcps.k12.mt.us/portal/paxson .

While most classrooms were alive with excitable students eager to go home for the holidays, Line’s 21 youngsters were deeply engrossed in the interactive stories they were reading on their iPads.

Several children were busy reviewing vowels and how they are pronounced. Others had moved on to stories that asked them questions and incorporated the morning’s vowel lesson.

Every one of the small students was intensely focused on the material, and when one got stumped by how to get a story to work, he or she would quietly ask a friend for help.

Quietly and calmly the lessons of sharing, reading and technology use unfolded.

All of Line’s kindergartners began the school year with the high-tech learning tools thanks to an anonymous former Paxson parent who donated $85,000 to supply the school with iPads.

By BETSY COHEN of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/lifestyles/territory/annomous-gift-of-ipads-has-paxson-school-students-performing-at/article_9f77d23e-5139-11e2-9b8f-0019bb2963f4.html