Chalk a thing of the past in Green Country schools

Blackboards and chalk are a thing of the past for many school districts across Green Country.

The way students learn has changed dramatically with the help of new technology.
    
2News takes you inside the new "high tech" classrooms in Segment 2.

Back-to-school looks a lot different than it did a few years ago.

"I can't imagine myself in that same classroom that I was in nine years ago. Just how did I get those skills to them? Because I just have so many opportunities now. I can bring the world basically to my classroom," said third grade teacher Michelle Million.

Million has changed her lesson plans since teaching at Holmes Park Elementary in Sapulpa.
 
She says new technology like smart boards in every classroom makes learning more interactive.

"You know it takes you away from the worksheet and the textbook. And they can come up on the board and manipulate the numbers, to truly understand the content you're trying to get to them," Million said.

Some classes don't even use books anymore. Million's class received grants for Kindles for every student.

Million says the Kindles provide hands-on, conceptual learning.

"With the Kindles, they're interacting with their books. And they can actually highlight a word and find a definition right there," Million said.

Just a few miles away, Jenks West students started off the school year in a brand new third and fourth grade building.

Karen Wright's fourth grade class is diving into new learning techniques, from using smart boards to their very own laptops.

"I feel good with it. Because I like using new technology and stuff," said student Clara Newson.

"Well, it's working out pretty good. And like smart boards are really fun, you can have all these certain markers you can draw on, and it's pretty awesome," said student Logan Bristle.

Wright says learning is more hands-on now.

"It's that kinetic learning. They can see it, it's the visual, it's doing everything for the student. So that they can go up there and touch stuff and move stuff around," Wright said.

Teachers can also be heard loud and clear, thanks to the microphones they wear like necklaces around their necks. They say it helps students stay focused.

"It makes sure that every child can hear, whether in the back of the room or the front of the room," Wright said.

Wright says the best part of all of this technology is it evens out the playing field for students.
 
"I know some students don't have the technology. And you know they want to. And we can let them and allow them to use it, so that they aren't behind," Wright said.

Most of the new technology in both school districts was paid for with school bonds, thanks to voters.