Digital wish come true
West Rutland students get laptops, cameras for class
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West Rutland students turn on their new computers for the first time Friday. Vyto Starinskas / Rutland Herald |
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By Cristina Kumka Staff Writer - Published: January 30, 2010
WEST RUTLAND — Sixth-grader Dylan Shambo doesn't have a computer at home, but now he has one of his own at school.
Dylan was one of 17 West Rutland School pupils in Nancy Burke-Bruno's class to get an introduction to new laptops and digital recording devices Friday afternoon.
The electronics are from a partnership between the school and the Manchester Center-based nonprofit organization Digital Wish. The aim of the program is to put new learning tools into students' hands and make them more technologically savvy and better employees for Vermont's future.
Digital Wish chose the school as the home for its third pilot program in its Vermont School Modernization Initiative.
The initiative supplies teachers and students with computers, video recorders and training to reform the curriculum in schools to prepare students for the global workforce.
Digital Wish is set to receive federal stimulus funding to put technology in 24 schools this year, with a five-year goal targeting 55,700 students in grades six through 12 across the state.
Computers, mini-video cameras, software and training have already been introduced to Mettawee Community School in West Pawlet and Sunderland Elementary, said Heather Chirtea, executive director of Digital Wish.
West Rutland applied for the partnership and matched Digital Wish's offer with $3,000 to bring cameras and 23 new laptops to three classrooms Friday.
While students called the devices "cool" and "awesome," Burke-Bruno said the laptops were "performance tools."
Chirtea called the new technology vehicles for change.
"We're getting these kids prepared to start small businesses (or stay working) in this state so they can thrive," said Chirtea, a former business owner.
"If we raise our kids to be technologically savvy, they can work anywhere … the global market is on the Web."
According to Chirtea, recent studies show small businesses in Vermont can't grow because of a lack of qualified, young workers.
Chirtea cited a 2006 report titled "Having the Courage to Change: How We Can Avoid the Coming Workforce Crisis" by members of the Vermont Business Roundtable.
The report found that "a well-educated citizenry promotes the growth of existing business, creates a climate that encourages business start-ups, and brings new business to Vermont. Good jobs from these businesses will allow our children to remain in Vermont and generate income to the state in order to fund social needs."
Chirtea said recent graduates she interviewed said they would stay in Vermont if there were jobs here.
"They can work for a company in England, India and New York City via telecommuting and the Web," she said.
"Vermont is the ideal place to have this kind of workforce."
Nancy Burzon of the Rutland Region Workforce Investment Board said she recently interviewed 52 Vermont small businesses in 17 industries.
"I would say that everyone that I talked to said computer skills are important for anybody new coming in," Burzon said. "It doesn't matter at what level really."
Dylan, 12, said he believed using the computer in school would better prepare him for a job.
Chirtea said she hoped one day students would be able to take the computers home with them so their parents can use them to learn and advance in their careers, too.
For now, Burke-Bruno said the computers allow teachers to engage students like never before.
"We have to meet them where they learn best," she said. "Technology is the medium for that."
cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com
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