BY ANDREA TORTORA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS -- With computers as common in classrooms as calculators, the three R's are quickly being joined by a C.
Computing is now as important as reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic. More and more students are entering schools with significant knowledge of computers. Teachers are spending more of their time teaching about the device's use.
Northern Kentucky students have won their share of honors statewide for their computer expertise.
According to figures from the Kentucky Education Department, Campbell County Schools have the best student-computer ratio in the state with one computer for every 3.5 students. For comparison, Fort Thomas Schools have one computer for every 13.5 students. The state also spotlights the best in school Web sites. Highland Heights Elementary won that honor in November.
"Computers are becoming a tool that we have to provide for students," said Linda Smith, technology director for Campbell County Schools. "Very much as years ago when a pencil or a calculator became a tool, the computer is needed to help students organize and present their work."
And oh, what those students can do.
Web site publishing in the second grade? No problem. Using a digital camera? Creating graphics? Coding documents for easy access?
All of those skills are old hat for many students by the time they move up to middle school.
In many cases, students are teaching their teachers about the wonders of computer technology.
"I help my teacher and sometimes show the other students how to get on the Internet and do simple things," said Jennifer Stubbeman, a fifth grader at Highland Heights Elementary.
At this school, nine students spent the summer learning how to set up, clean and operate computers in the Student Technology Leadership Program. The program is part of the state's push to improve technology education and get as many computers in the classroom as possible.
Instructional aide Bonnie Kelley helps students keep the Web site working. There are 18 students in grades 2 through 5 that participate in the after-school technology program, updating and building the Web page.
Ms. Kelley also teachers regular computer classes to the school's 194 students and 15 teachers.
"The kids aren't afraid to try anything. The teachers are," Ms. Kelley said. "We wanted to teach the kids. And the help from the kids encourages the teachers to be more active with the computers." When the group meets, there is organized chaos in the computer lab. Three students take pictures of each classroom door. Others download the photos into the computer. Jennifer Stubbeman and Krystle Richerson, fifth grade, work on resizing the photos so they fit on the Web page.
Collin Stegeman, fifth grade, adds text to one teacher's page. Cody Smith, third grade, dreams up ideas for new technologies. "I wish we could put PlayStation games into the computer," he said.
Most of these students have computers at home. And they spend just as much time with their computers as they do on homework. Ms. Smith likes to hear that. Teachers already notice that some students write better if they have the opportunity to draft and make revisions right at the PC.
Staff communicate all the time with e-mail and teachers are even using e-mail as a way to communicate with busy parents.
"And I think that within five years computers will become a more integral part of what our students need to succeed," Ms. Smith said.
The Web site address for Highland Heights Elementary School is www.campbell.k12.ky.us/schools/highland/
