Due to a grant from Kansas Gas Service to Partners In Education, more students will be able to use the Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) equipment this coming year.
The equipment, of which there is only one system that can be moved from school to school, allows students to talk with other schools and entities around the world.
Nancy Johnston, community relations manager for Kansas Gas Service, presented PIE with a check for $1,389, which will be used to purchase a projector for the IDL system.
“It (IDL) really allows our students to have access to teaching and learning throughout the world, not just here,” said Sue Givens, superintendent.
Nancy Wagner, elementary technology support for USD 490, said the current IDL equipment has been used from second grade all the way up to high school.
Elementary students have done such things as Mystery Quest with other schools.
The IDL program started with a middle school Chinese language class, and Wanger, along with the help of Kara Wilber, expanded its use to other classrooms.
“It will be nice when we can have one at each school,” Wagner said. “This covers part of one and we need five of them.”
Givens said they have two barriers in providing the IDL – one is cost and the other is getting it in teachers’ hands.
“Thanks to Kansas Gas Service, we are getting the equipment,” Givens said. “Thanks to Kara and Nancy it is in the hands of teachers.”
With this system, students can take almost any course that is an elective, take electronic field trips and do projects between USD 490 schools.
The IDL equipment also can be used for staff development and meetings. It can do such things as allow teachers to be a part of a conference they couldn’t attend in person.
