THOMASVILLE — Thomasville City Schools officials are excited about the implementation of new technology for some of its older students.

The Georgia Department of Education awarded Thomasville High School an eTextbooks Title IID American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or ARRA, grant. The total grant amount is $1,335,184.

The eTextbooks grant provides: netbook device for students and teachers, eTextbook content for all netbooks, extra netbook battery for each device, replacement/loaner netbooks, and ceiling-mounted projector and mounted interactive whiteboard (SMART Board) for each classroom.

“This is a technological age,” Joe Farrell, director of curriculum, instruction and testing, said. “The kids are so in tune to that.”

The grant will cover high school students at both THS and the Scholars Academy. It will be rolled out to all teachers and ninth/10th grade students in 2010-2011 and to all new ninth-graders in both the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years.

The primary goals of the eTextbooks grant, according to the system press release, are to:

• develop a self-funding model that utilizes current, engaging and cost-efficient alternatives to hard copy textbooks and provides a model that may be leveraged across all school districts in Georgia;

• provide teachers professional development in the use of engaging digital content to differentiate instruction and improve student engagement;

• increase student technology literacy by providing students educational opportunities to use digital tools;

• increase parent engagement through training sessions.

SMART Boards will promote interaction among the students, the material, and the teacher, according to the release. The device is an “integral tool” in promoting the technology literacy skills students need for success in the 21st century.

Teachers can create a structure that fits their courses and teaching style, and students will be able to follow the teacher easier and participate in more interactive lessons.

THS teachers have met the state’s Computer Competency Requirement, according to the system release, and are prepared to teach in a technology rich environment, as well as learn more about using technology with their students in the classroom.

“Research has proven that one size instruction is not the most effective way to teach so a variety of methods must be used,” Donita Hinckley, system instructional technology coordinator, said. “Technology is critical for differentiation.

“The use of technology provides a more stimulating way to present material and causes students to be more engaged in learning.

“By implementing the use of this technology at the high school, there is the strong likelihood that students will be interested and remain engaged for longer periods of time.”

Tom McCall, director of curriculum/data/assessment, said this new technology will give students options for accessing information.

“Instead of just listening to a teacher lecture or doing worksheets, they’ll be given interactive resources,” he said. “Each student has a different learning style and can find the option best suited for them.

“It’s almost like individualized instruction for each student. It’s a great learning tool, but students are still going to have to work.”

THS Principal Todd Mobley said this grant enables access to technology some students do not have at home.

Students will have access to teacher instructions and notes from any place with Internet capability and, those without it, may have materials loaded to their netbook’s hard drive.

“We’re looking at ways to get Internet access for students who may not have it at home,” Mobley said.

Parents will also be able to monitor their child’s work online and students will be able to receive electronic copies of materials when absent.

Required training sessions will be led by the system instructional technology coordinator and will include information regarding the purpose, use and care of the eTextbooks, officials said.

These sessions will be held the first month of each new school year for all students receiving a device and their parents.

“Parents are going to be asked to come in and have training on what this is going to be before their child can take it home,” Dale Graham, Scholars Academy director and system math coordinator, said.

“Parents need to know they need to be available to come in and there will be numerous opportunities. Parents are part of the process.”

Parent/student agreements will be required of all families.

“Students need to be responsible for their netbook,” Mobley said. “This is an educational tool and it will be up to them to keep up with them and take care of them.”