‘Click, tap, swipe’ — Snohomish elementary students get tech-savvy

SNOHOMISH — Students here are clicking, tapping and swiping the way to get technology into elementary classrooms across Snohomish.

Fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders in the highly-capable class at Little Cedars Elementary School are testing a pilot program known as BYOD or bring your own device. It allows students to bring smartphones, tablets and laptops from home for educational purposes in class.

BYOD programs are common in middle and high schools but there aren’t many at the elementary level, said Misha Dacy, a teacher who specializes in K-12 technology for the Snohomish School District. In May, district officials will evaluate the pilot program at Little Cedars and decide whether to implement it in other elementary classrooms next year.

“So far, it’s been very successful and we’ve generated interest in other buildings,” Dacy said. “It brings digital tools to the fingertips of kids, allowing them to take ownership of their learning.”

The pilot program has helped students develop technical skills with different smartphones, tablets and laptops, said highly-capable teacher Julie Winter. Her students quickly and easily picked up the technology.

“I’m definitely the one having to keep up,” said Winter, 47.

Students have found that smartphones are helpful for looking up facts quickly, tablets are suited for research and laptops are useful for typing papers or creating spreadsheets.

“We’ve been using technology for so many things, my teaching has totally changed,” Winter said. “It’s been remarkable.”

The program has also reduced demand for the four computers in Winter’s classroom and in the two school computer labs, she said. The computer labs are usually available to students once or twice a week, except when they are being used during seven weeks of standardized testing.

Before the BYOD program started, Winter said, not having enough computer time limited her teaching. Now, most students are bringing devices so those who aren’t can use the classroom computers.

Students are also taught computer safety and to think critically about online sources as part of the BYOD program. It is important for children to learn those skills early before problems, such as those involving inappropriate comments or photos on social media, arise, Winter said.

“It teaches responsibility,” said sixth-grade student Ben Glover, 11. “You’re responsible for your own actions and your devices.”

Ben and his mother, Laron Glover, spearheaded the effort to bring the BYOD program to Little Cedars.

Ben wanted to improve technology at school when he ran unsuccessfully for fifth-grade class president last year. Instead of giving up on his goal, he decided to work on the pilot program.

He enlisted the help of his teacher, his principal, the school district technology staff, students and parents. They created policies and procedures for the BYOD program.

The district set up a server that students can log onto with their devices. It has filters that block inappropriate sites.

Since the students started using the devices in class in March, the organizers have checked on the program’s progress each week. So far, there haven’t been any problems with students misusing their devices, Winter said.

“The kids are more likely to behave with their devices,” Ben said. “Because if they don’t, they know their devices will be taken.”

Now, it’s up to Snohomish School District officials to decide whether to implement the program in other elementary classrooms next year. Organizers have tested the policies and can share that information with other schools and other districts that are interested in starting their own BYOD programs for elementary students.

“We have a really good program,” Laron Glover said. “It’s a big win for everybody.”

Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Former Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy Jeremie Zeller appears in court for sentencing on multiple counts of misdemeanor theft Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ex-sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 1 week of jail time for hardware theft

Jeremie Zeller, 47, stole merchandise from Home Depot in south Everett, where he worked overtime as a security guard.

Everett
11 months later, Lake Stevens man charged in fatal Casino Road shooting

Malik Fulson is accused of shooting Joseph Haderlie to death in the parking lot at the Crystal Springs Apartments last April.

T.J. Peters testifies during the murder trial of Alan Dean at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bothell cold case trial now in jury’s hands

In court this week, the ex-boyfriend of Melissa Lee denied any role in her death. The defendant, Alan Dean, didn’t testify.

A speed camera facing west along 220th Street Southwest on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Washington law will allow traffic cams on more city, county roads

The move, led by a Snohomish County Democrat, comes as roadway deaths in the state have hit historic highs.

Mrs. Hildenbrand runs through a spelling exercise with her first grade class on the classroom’s Boxlight interactive display board funded by a pervious tech levy on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lakewood School District’s new levy pitch: This time, it won’t raise taxes

After two levies failed, the district went back to the drawing board, with one levy that would increase taxes and another that would not.

Alex Hanson looks over sections of the Herald and sets the ink on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Black Press, publisher of Everett’s Daily Herald, is sold

The new owners include two Canadian private investment firms and a media company based in the southern United States.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.