BOISE -- Technology is being used more than ever before in classrooms across Idaho. Teachers say it's a great way to keep students engaged and prepare them for a career, but is so much information at a child's fingertips always a good thing?
Psychologists say more time spent using mobile devices and computers can have a negative impact. Meanwhile, educators are doing what they can to balance fundamental learning with high tech tools.
"I try and figure out what's going to be the most exciting thing for the students. If they're excited about it, we're going to pursue it," said Brian Whitney, a STEM specialist who works with students at Hidden Springs Elementary School.
His STEM lab is equipped with iPads, SMART boards and other tools for students to work with. When KTVB visited, second graders were utilizing the space.
"We've been working on states of matter and different types of material, and each grade level is working on putting together different parts of an amusement park," added Whitney.
The Boise School District is investing in technology. In 2014, the district spent $5,314,384.50 on upgrades and devices.
Spokesman Dan Hollar says more than $1,000,000 of that budget was spent on infrastructure upgrades. It also included more than $1,000,000 spent on Chromebooks, iPads and laptops for one-third of the district's schools.
The third major portion of the Boise School District's technology budget was spent on IT salaries. Other money was used for annual operating costs including software, maintenance, hardware, and training.
Hollar told us money spent on technology comes mostly from state and local tax dollars.
Teacher Nadine Chafee is taking advantage of the tools the school district provides. Her third and fourth grade students at Valley View Elementary are using iPads and editing software to create video book trailers.
"Technology is the tool in here, it's not the object of the lesson," she said.
Chafee is a 20-year veteran teacher, but she says her students are often teaching her when it comes to these tools.
"Once I see what the kids can do with it I really do like it," she added.
It's no surprise that in some ways, the students are the experts. Psychologists say children are spending more and more time using devices like smart phones and tablets.
"Screens and especially personal devices can really detract from just having conversations and socializing," said Dr. Stephen Hill.
The experienced child psychologist told KTVB when it comes to technology in the classroom, balance is important.
"It all depends on how it's being used," he said. "You wouldn't want it to become so dominant that you're only getting things like fast decision making almost like a trivia response."
Timberline High School chemistry teacher Maggie Hickie says that's a problem she's battling daily.
"We're kind of forgetting some of the basic skills," said Hickie. "They'll just look up the answer online and so they don't remember or they don't figure out how to get themselves through the step by step process of answering maybe a difficult question."
Although her classroom is equipped with desktop computers and high-tech probes, she's also focused on the fundamentals of learning.
"I just try to tell them you don't have to know it right away. I don't know it right away. I don't pretend to know it right away," she said.
Hickie's students appreciate her approach, but say technology isn't going away. They want to have experience using the latest tools.
"I think it's a good thing because, that's kind of what the future is coming to. It's more technology so it's good to get us used to it now," said Vanessa Hadlock, a sophomore.
Hickie acknowledges technology can be distracting.
"Their focus level is a big challenge," she added.
Dr. Hill says that's a concern. He told us the more technology is used in the classroom, the more it will affect how students learn and interact.
"I think the catch comes in keeping that balance so that there really are still having to synthesize, integrate, do critical thinking with the information and the research you've done," said Hill.
That's something teachers are thinking about as they try to stay ahead of the technology curve.
We wanted to know how much other school districts are spending on technology annually.
West Ada School District Spokesman Eric Exline told us last year, the district spent $11.2 million on technology. Here's how that breaks down:
- $1.6 million was spent on classroom technology
- $3.8 million was used to purchase software and pay for IT salaries
- $5.8 million was spent on equipment (servers, computers etc.)
The West Ada School District has an annual enrollment of nearly 37,000 students. In comparison, the Boise School District has an annual enrollment of approximately 25,000 students.
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