WWW arkcity.net

By JOHN MILBURN
Associated Press Writer

PEABODY -- Whether by grant, by gift or by golly, Kansas school districts are doing their best to put additional technology in the classrooms -- computers, software and interactive learning devices, the latest gadgets to improve education.

In Peabody, the district invests federal grant money and whatever it can scrape together from its general fund budget to help students in this Flint Hills district show proficiency on state tests, explore the wetlands of Long Island, talk with astronauts and even learn a little German.

A new national survey by researchers at Education Week magazine ranked Kansas only behind South Dakota, Maine and Wyoming in student access to computers and the Internet, but near the bottom in annual state investment in technology.

Kansas has one computer for every 2.7 students and an Internet connection for every 2.9 students.

And Peabody Elementary School has high-speed computers in each classroom, wireless Internet connections and interactive distance learning equipment, putting any subject or expert a mouse click away.

Large monitors in each room allow teachers to show video clips, Power Point presentations or other materials, reinforcing presentations in traditional textbooks.

''It hits another node in the brain instead of students just thinking about it,'' said superintendent Tom Alstrom. ''It's basically a virtual field trip.''

Students have visited with astronauts to discuss space flight and watched the Mars rover land, Alstrom said.

''The thing I like about it is you can learn something and it's actually fun,'' said Chandra Rippe, 10, as she practiced fourth-grade math skills.

Sixth-grade teacher Annette Weems used technology to help students understand history. Students took a personality test to determine where they would fit in medieval society.

''By the time they get to sixth grade they are very well versed,'' she said.

High school students in the Smoky Valley district in Lindsborg each have a laptop, thanks to $500,000 in capital outlay funds.

''In many cases, student work can be completed anywhere, anytime and simply dropped into the teacher's drop-box,'' said superintendent Glen Suppes. ''We are seeing that our kids are becoming much more responsible learners.''

Alexa Posny, assistant state education commissioner in Topeka, said though Kansas doesn't mandate that students take a specific course in technology to graduate, they are getting plenty of exposure.

''But it can't replace the teacher who is there in the classroom facilitating learning,'' Posny said. ''It is a tool. It is not the end in and of itself.''

Posny said computers are helping urban and rural districts bring the world to the classroom by linking students with experts in various academic background.

Last Wednesday, students in Peabody took part in a discussion of wetlands with students from New York. The interactive lesson was about the ecosystems of Long Island and what conservationists are doing to preserve the habitat.

''It's wonderful to be able to talk with experts face to face,'' said Kathy Preheim, fifth-grade teacher. ''I think it just reinforces what we try to do in the classroom.''

Kansas is one of 16 states that allows students to take annual statewide tests online. This year, about 25 percent of the students will take exams on the computer and receive preliminary results before school ends in May -- perhaps the same day.

They included students in Peabody, where students were able to do practice tests so teachers could see where students needed help before the actual exams this spring.

Alstrom said feedback from the tests themselves also allowed teachers to reward students for good marks or demonstrate that exams aren't just busy work.

''It means a little more to get recognition this year and after the fact,'' he said.

Kansas school districts have been investing in technology through federal funds and tapping part of their state aid, local property taxes or public and private grants.

Numerous bond issues, including one for $63 million in Lawrence, also have raised funds for additional computers and infrastructure.

Also, the state has set up a KAN-ED network, linking schools, libraries and college, using a high-speed network to improve education and the exchange of information. The system is funded by a fee on telephone use.

Peabody is also linked to neighboring districts through fiber optics.

Kevin Bushweller, editor of the national technology study, said the federal No Child Left Behind reform law has focused new technology on managing information because the federal government wants to track how well states are progressing toward the law's goals.

Many states are investing in better collection and analysis systems to put test results in the hands of teachers and adjust instruction.

But losing the federal grants or earmarking them for specific purposes could hurt districts that rely on computers and distance learning system to offer courses not available in rural areas. Many find themselves unable to hire qualified math or science faculty to teach upper-level courses.

The national survey found many states, including Kansas, don't require new teachers to be proficient in technology.

Peabody will offer ''Camp Connect'' in June, where teachers learn how to use computers in the classroom. After completing the camp, each teacher will get a laptop but must develop at least two technology based projects during the next year.