Digital course materials are finding their way into
more classrooms, particularly at the middle- and high-school levels. Teachers
and students of the Miami-Dade County school district, which ramped up its
digital efforts this year, found the devices are great when they work.
Tablet computers give teachers the opportunity to be more
creative with their lesson plans and let students work more efficiently,
according to a report in the Miami Herald. At the same time, teachers aren’t always sure what
students are doing online. Students also complain of poor Internet connections
and say sometimes the digital textbooks just don’t work.
“It’s a little bit of a love-hate relationship,” said
Nadia Zananiri, a teacher at Miami Beach High School.
Insufficient training with the devices is a big concern
for teachers, but there are also a number of technological issues causing
frustrations, such as students without the proper access codes, apps for online
material that disappear, and not enough electrical outlets in the classrooms
when students fail to recharge prior to class. Spotty Internet connection tops
the list of complaints for both teachers and students.
The district offered 18 training sessions for teachers
and is working to add more Wi-Fi capacity at its schools. It already manages
20,000 access points and 45 million sq. ft. of wireless coverage.
“It’s like anything else: There will be hiccups the
first year, but eventually we’ll get it down,” said Daniel Francia, a teacher
at Hialeah-Miami Lakes High School. “I see the merits.”
