Devon Forest Receives $50,000 Google Grant for One-to-One Technology

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Devon Forest Elementary School received the $50,000 Getting on the Tech Track Google grant in August to promote the school’s one-to-one digital learning initiative.

The grant provided funding for netbooks for students and professional development for teachers.

“Thanks to Google’s generosity and support from Title I funding, our students are one-to-one with Chromebooks in grades three through five. We are so excited about the new teaching tools and strategies these devices will bring to our classrooms,” stated Devon Forest Elementary School Principal, Cristie Mitchum.

Lead Kindergarten teacher at Devon Forest, Eliza Jourdain, and Technology Instructional Coach at Devon Forest, Erika Wyatt, met with Google representatives who expressed interest in helping Berkeley County School District (BCSD) students excel through technology. Wyatt and Jourdain collaborated to write the technology grant with support from Principal Mitchum and BCSD Executive Director of Technology, Diane Driggers.

Ongoing professional development opportunities focused on how to infuse digital devices through a blended learning model are provided for teachers, and a “Digital Playground” has been created to give teachers and students hands-on experience exploring technology. According to Wyatt, “It is amazing to witness our classrooms being transformed into collaborative learner-centered environments by using a mix of technology and teacher-led instruction. A blended learning model makes anywhere and anytime learning a reality for our students. Through technology, we are taking learning to the next level at DFE!”

Likewise, Jourdain said, “We are training our students for jobs that do not exist yet.  Through technology and best teaching practices, we can prepare our students with skills necessary to embrace the jobs of today and tomorrow.”

With approximately 860 mobile devices, students at Devon Forest now have expanded opportunities to participate in collaborative, innovative learning. The school’s goal is to expand its one-to-one initiative to students in pre-k through second grade.

Commenting on how she believes the one-to-one digital learning initiative will open up new learning possibilities for students, Driggers stated, “It is exciting to watch the technology resources being used by our students and teachers. This is a testament to the wonderful results that are possible when schools, businesses and communities come together to enrich young lives.”