The Keith Thompson Nonpublic School at Chamberlain’s Children’s Center in Hollister has undergone significant changes over the past year beginning with the hiring of a new teacher last summer and continuing with changes to the technology and classroom infrastructure at the one-room, multi-grade level class.
It went from a class with a couple of student computers to being one of the most technologically advanced in San Benito County, employing technological tools that even many mainstream public schools only wish for. Keith Thompson NPS is operating a class set of 10 Google Chromebooks thanks in large part to grants from the Intero Foundation and the San Benito County Office of Education.
The funding from Intero was the second grant that the school has received from them.
“Lorna Gilbert, special education director; Christine Lompu, SELPA; and Mike Sanchez, county school superintendent, have been very supportive of our school and campus for many years,” said Director Robert Freiri. “Lorna, in particular, has provided us with technical assistance and resources that have improved the quality of our school. This past year they have stepped up even more by providing funding that had transformed our classroom and will ensure our students have a great learning environment and be prepared for new testing standards.”
The Chromebooks are used daily to teach students computer skills and provide differentiated learning in English language arts and mathematics. The classroom is using  two newly acquired intervention programs called Lexia Learning and Mathletics. The first provides differentiated instruction in reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and writing. The second is a comprehensive math curriculum focusing on Common Core standards. This program provides many unique features to students, among them giving students the chance to compete in live mathematics, where students can complete math facts against students in their class, school, or around the world in real time. A range of other tools, including the use of Google Docs, Google Drive, and email, are all tools now being incorporated into students’ classroom learning.
In addition to Chromebooks, the classroom has acquired a set of three iPads, which use various applications to assist student learning. To make these tools accessible, the classroom has a mounted projector on the ceiling with both an Apple TV and Chromecast connected, which allows classroom staff and students to connect Chromebooks and Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, and MacBook) to the projector and display their content on the big screen for all to see. To further add to accessibility, the school also has use of a Mondo Pad, which serves as an interactive whiteboard and touchscreen computer. This device can also be used to make video calls to professionals outside the classroom. Last school year, the class contacted Freiri while he was attending a conference overseas.
The classroom has received a new look over the course of the past year to complement its new technology upgrades. Students are no longer seated in individual desks, but now occupy cubicles that line the outer walls of the classroom. Work stations have been set up to provide small group instruction to students to advance their learning.
These changes have drastically improved the learning experiences for all students, school officials say. Not only does the new layout provide students with their own space to complete their work, but the addition of technology allows for more differentiated instruction so all students can obtain better access to a high quality education. The added equipment is also providing students with valuable technological and life skills they will be able to use in the future.
For more information about the school, click here.