Laptops distributed at Central High School

Cape Girardeau students experienced a historic moment Wednesday when about 1,180 convertible laptops were distributed in Central High School's Commons Area.

"I'm extremely excited," Central High School principal Mike Cowan said. "We've been very fortunate at Cape Central High School to have [had] several historic moments in recent years."

Cowan referred to the opening of Tiger Stadium, new classrooms and the opening of the Richard D. Kinder Performance Hall. On Wednesday, another moment was added: the launch of the 1:1 computer-based learning program.

"That's a lot of major moments in the very short history of our school, as far as this immediate generation is concerned," Cowan said. "And that goes right back to the marvelous support that our community has for public education and what our central office leadership has done and what our board of education does in making this possible. ... These are monumental moments in the life of a school, and [we] are so fortunate that our children here at Cape Central are getting to experience this in a very short amount of time."

Devices were handed out according to last names and grade, starting with freshmen and working up to seniors. Cowan complimented students for the orderly way they received the laptops, protective sleeves, chargers and earbuds, and told them to take the devices with them to all their classes except physical education, when the laptops should be placed in their lockers.

Kent Ragan checks out his new ASUS Transformer Book computer, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014. The computers, which can be used as a laptop or tablet, were distributed to all 1,200 high school students Wednesday morning. (Laura Simon)

Instructional technologist Ron Farrow suggested students keep the ASUS Transformer Books in a designated spot in their home, where it will be safe from pets and siblings.

Farrow said the laptops are a "huge investment" in the students and are educational devices that cannot access any unapproved software.

The district acquired 1,300 computers -- including about 100 for teachers and loaners -- through a lease-purchase agreement with US Bank for $525,000.

Farrow said the distribution was "unbelievably smooth." He said the Cape Girardeau district talked to North Kansas City and other schools about their distribution process, "so we picked up a few tips."

However, he still was amazed by how fast everything went.

The main issues, Farrow and Cowan said, were the wait time for downloading software when students first logged on and the commons' wireless network slowing down because of the number of students using it in one area.

"I'm super pleased, super pleased," Farrow said.

Students also were glad to have the devices in hand and cited reasons the laptops would be convenient and helpful.

"I like them," sophomore Alyssa Nunley said. "I don't have to carry as much stuff as I used to, so that's a lot better because before I was carrying all my books and so many folders and I had back problems."

At first, junior Max Abbott was apprehensive about getting a laptop, but said he'll adjust.

"Initially, I was kind of worried because I personally like my books and paper and whatnot. The way it's set up, I think it's going to make things easier. It will make things easier for teachers" as well as students, Abbott said. "It will make it less of a hassle to do in-depth research. You won't have to worry about getting 30 children into a computer lab, and if there's something that you need, it takes out having to go the library to print it or load it or something of that nature.

"So I think it's going to take a little bit to get used to, but once you actually get into it, it'll make things a lot easier, and a lot quicker and more in-depth and allow for more learning in the classroom."

Health and physical education teacher Elizabeth Fleer said the laptops are a great additional resource.

"I think it's really great they're getting these skills to use the technology to better enhance their learning, as well as learning those skills to take to a workplace in the future," Fleer said. She also said it will give students more time in the classroom and less in the computer lab.

The devices also will let Fleer do more things, such as having students keep blogs on what they're eating, take photos of their food and maybe add recipes. "It's more interactive, so it's not just them writing down their calories every day," Fleer said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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