The Catasauqua Area School Board now has a better understanding of how technology may be implemented in the classroom beginning in the fall.

Catasauqua Middle School teacher Janine Hemond shared with board members at a June meeting how she integrated iPad devices into her eighth-grade American history course. The devices were used for 30 days in her class.

"I felt like technology was the best way to get [students] involved and engaged," Hemond said.

A one-to-one technology program will begin for Catasauqua High School students beginning in the fall, in which every student will be assigned an Apple MacBook. The cost of the program is $600,000 over four years.

The middle school, at the moment, is piloting the use of technology in the classroom. District Superintendent Robert Spengler said a seventh-grade class in the fall will use iPads for an assigned period of time for class-related work and assignments.

Hemond told the school board she used online resources to help facilitate the learning process. In addition, she also assigned a research project to the students. The project required students to pick a state and government topic, research the topics and contact state and federal representatives. The students also blogged, she said.

According to Hemond, the use of the tablet computers greatly enhanced the student's educational experience.

"The iPads are probably the most wonderful thing," she said. "It was a great opportunity for them because everything was at their fingertips."

Hemond said she did not experience any disciplinary problems with students while they were using the tablets. Students, as a whole, were attentive and excited about the process. She also said the use of technology provided the chance for the more reserved students to gain a voice and become more engaged in the classroom.

Board Vice President Carol Cunningham said the use of technology in the classroom offers a unique opportunity for professional development among staff members.

"If you want to be an effective teacher, you can't run from [technology]," Hemond said.

Also during the meeting, CHS student Shawn Newhart expressed his ongoing concern with the future use of MacBooks at the high school. He recommended the board create a policy affording for a permanent opt-out policy for students who do not want to use the laptops. Newhart argued the privacy of students will be compromised by the use of the devices.

"There are more people who don't want these computers as much as I don't," he said. "I believe the decision was rushed."

He asked the board how the school district can require students to use the devices.

Board Solicitor David Knerr said while the district cannot mandate a student to use the device, if the student refuses, they will not receive credit for academic work.

Board member Donald Panto said a policy is already in place that provides students and parents the chance to opt out of a particular assignment or educational experience.

Panto said it's important the district account for those students who may not be comfortable with certain aspects of their education.

"What his [Newhart] educational experience needs to be, needs to be crafted," Panto said.