Computer Access Continues To Improve for Students At Martinez Schools

Students seem to have good access to computers in Martinez schools and things will apparently get better over the next two years.

At the elementary school level, the Martinez Unified School District averages 4.5 students per school-owned desktop or laptop computer, according to 2011-12 statistics from the website Ed Data.

At Martinez Junior High, it's 8.7 students per computer.

At Alhambra High, it's 4.4 students per computer.

The state average is 4.7 students per computer.

Those statistics, however, don't include hand-held devices such as iPads or iPods, which would lower the district's averages even more.

In addition, the district has plans to flood classrooms over the next two years with iPads and netbook computers.

Max Eissler, the district's chief technology officer, said half of grade 4 through 12 classrooms with have 1:1 student to computer ratios by the start of the next school year.

All grade 4-12 core classrooms will have that same ratio by the beginning of the next school year.

"One-to-one computing allows our teachers to create a true blended learning environment where students can be engaged in individualized instruction and self-paced learning," said Eissler.

During the past several years, the district has also used money from a 2008 voter-approved bond to upgrade the technology available to students. As part of that plan, every classroom in the district now has wireless Internet access.

In Eissler said computers in the classroom are essential to preparing today's students to compete in tomorrow's high-tech world.

Some schools now encourage middle and high school students to use personal cell phones, tablets and e-readers during school hours for classwork, according to an MSN Money report.

The same article said nearly three-quarters of teachers surveyed for the Pew Research Center Internet & American Life study said they or their students use cell phones during class or for homework.

How would you rate the availability of technology at Martinez schools? Are we doing enough to prepare students? Comment below.