Boothbay Region Elementary School parents who find their child absorbed in an iPad may be delighted to learn it’s not due to social media. The devices are part of their education.

With BRES technology integrator Zachary Gray, students and teachers have an enthusiastic expert to help them navigate the experience.

In the new job, Gray helps teachers integrate technology into their classrooms. He started this year following the retirement of technology coordinator Judy Dorr. He is a familiar face at the school. Gray served as an educational technician in math for the past two years.

As Gray explained, this year students in grades two through four will each have their own iPad; the days of sharing devices are over. That also means teachers can plan one set of lessons instead of  a second one for students without  a computer.

Also new this year, each student in kindergarten and first grade will have what Gray called a “mini” computer. Over the next few weeks, he will deploy more than 300 iPads and mini’s to BRES students and staff.

Bringing computers into the classroom for each student is the result of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI). It began in 2002 as a program for seventh and eighth graders and has expanded into high schools and now into lower grades.

“Before having one-on-one devices, only one student could work on a project at a time. Now each student can have their own device,” Gray said.

For younger students, use of the computer is taught via age-appropriate applications. The software asks children to count the dinosaurs by tapping a picture. The device says “Awesome!” and “Fantastic!” when the student counts correctly. Devices are programmed to be secure for children; inappropriate websites are blocked.

Gray received his bachelor’s degeee from the University of Maine in Orono and a master’s degree in integrating technology from Walden University. He and wife Kristin – who teaches seventh grade social studies and English at BRES – live in Wiscasset.  Gray also coaches the Dolphins swim team at the Boothbay Region YMCA.

He explained that having individual computers has “definitely changed teaching.” Students can practice outside the classroom and can take online quizzes any time. Teachers monitor each student’s progress and request specific applications for Gray to provide for their classes.

 “Technology is important to these kids. Being able to use these applications will be vital to whatever they are doing in the future.”

He said Dorr, Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 technology director Lisa Smith, Boothbay Region High School data-IT manager Brynne Roseberry and BRHS technology integrator Abby Manahan have been “amazingly helpful.”

Gray reminds all parents of BRES seventh and eighth graders, a training and internet safety presentation will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25 in the BRES gymnasium.  Attendance is required so students can bring their iPads home.