School District Intends to Implement Tech via iPads in the Classroom; Komatinsky Sworn in By Howorth

District Superintendent Michael Matthews gave an update on the technology committee at last week's Manhattan Beach Unified School District board of trustees meeting. 

“Technology is a great thing, but it doesn’t make a good education,” said Matthews. “What makes a good education is what we do with it.”

According to a slide presentation, the most important technological goals include more wireless connection and more cloud-based systems, which will use servers that are accessible to all employees. Other goals included the purchase of learning tools such as electronic white boards, aka SMARTBoards, laptops for teachers and iPads and iPods for student learning. 

Matthews said that 21st century learning includes 4 Cs: collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity.  

“If students utilize technology more, teachers can stop being the givers of information and instead be a facilitator of information. Some of the best teachers out there don’t just give you facts, they work with you as a person, to motivate, mentor and coach,” said Matthews. “Technology can free up teachers to stop giving information out and start helping students utilize the information to think critically.” 

Members of the technology committee have visited other schools that use technology to teach, including Saddleback Valley Unified School District, Los Altos School District and Walnut Valley Unified School District. 

The Manhattan Beach school district wants to introduce technology pilot programs in its elementary, middle and high schools via one grade level in each elementary school and four to eight classrooms in middle and high school. Pilot program teachers would be required to participate in monthly meetings and training. Faculty that attend a summer workshop would be given an iPad.

Cost projections of this pilot are approximately $25,000, which covers an iPad cart that includes one iPad per student, the charging cart, and a computer for downloading  relevant applications, with additional costs for wireless Internet. Grants and other funding are being researched. Updated information will be presented at the next board meeting with a vote on the pilot possibly taking place at that meeting.

 “The fact that we have a plan is a huge accomplishment,” said board president Bill Fournell. “Being able to build and add to it and letting parents know what’s going on is the next step.”

Newly elected school board member Karen Komatinsky was sworn in by Manhattan Beach City Councilwoman Amy Howorth at the meeting. Komatinsky is filing the seat vacated by Howorth after she was elected to City Council.

Said Howorth, “I saw your Facebook update saying how excited you were for today’s school board meeting and I thought to myself, 'She is the right woman for the job.'” 

Welcomed with a standing ovation and showered with flowers, Komatinsky said it was a proud moment for her.

“I am very passionate about education,” she said. “I think that’s why we’re all here tonight.”

Howorth was honored with a proclamation.