Classroom computers improve student experience, boost graduation rates

An Iowa school district made giant strides in its technology in the classroom initiatives this fall, providing every student from kindergarten through 12th grade with an iPod or laptop.

The Howard-Winneshiek district in Cresco began preparing for the technological overhaul last year. Furthermore, earlier this month, Gov. Terry Branstad announced an initiative which would increase residents' access to broadband Internet. Government representatives and residents hope the initiative will encourage more districts to provide classroom computers and other technologies for their students.

"With a digital device and an Internet connection, that exchange of ideas and thinking now goes beyond the scope of where we are physically," said superintendent John Carver. "Our students are now in the position to benefit from that."

Additionally, a Project Revolutionizing Education study reported that one-to-one initiatives, referring to one device per student, when combined with staff training and other key factors had the potential to improve student achievement.

Another school in North Carolina has also benefited from classroom computers and technology. ABC News 13 reported that students in the public school district in Rutherford County receive classroom computers that they can utilize in almost every class and take home for assignments. Since the district began providing computers for each student for the last three years, graduation rates have gone up.