At Congress Elementary School in Wickenburg, AZ, every student in grades three through eight has his or her own laptop computer. The latest models are Toshiba tablet PCs, provided to this year’s fifth and seventh graders. Toni Wayas, superintendent of the Wickenburg Unified District, explains, “Tablets combine the physical world with the technological world. Now students write their notes on the computers and save them to their filing system. The tablets allow each student to have the ability to interact with software programs through touch and voice.”
Teachers strive to integrate technology into all content areas. On a daily basis, students complete writing assignments, do research, complete presentations, and access software programs for learning and assessment. All assignments are e-mailed between students and teachers. Since the stylus can write in different colors, teachers can grade or comment on an assignment in a second color, returning papers to students electronically for instant correction or revision. No longer do the students need paper folders. All the work, notes, and assignments are contained in their organized tablet folders. The tablets, says Wayas, are helping with organization and accountability.
Overall, Wayas attributes the success of integrating technology into education and to the dedication and commitment of the staff. “Although it would be easy to become overwhelmed by the technological learning expected,” she says, “the teachers have embraced the challenge. They spend much extra time creating activities and organizing learning to include technology.”

Source: The Wickenburg Sun, Technology Enhances School, by Toni Wayas, Superintendent