District to give 580 computers to students

Published Thursday, January 24, 2008

By Denny Deady

Students participating in Northwest's revamped TechnoCamp will receive more than an education on computers - participants completing the 20-hour course will be able to take home a free computer.

The district's efforts to put kids first turned into putting computers in their hands this past summer. Traditionally a summer program providing eighth grade students the opportunity to disassemble and rebuild a computer, this summer's TechnoCamp was revamped to give participants a free computer at the conclusion of the camp. Students received a free educational resource while the district upheld its responsibility to acceptably dispose of outdated equipment, creating a win-win situation.

Noting the potential academic benefits and popularity of the summer camp, Northwest ISD has expanded TechnoCamp to grades four through 12 in the form of a campus after-school program and summer camp. The district could potentially give away 580 computers between the spring and summer camp sessions.

At the elementary level, each school's TechnoCamp will be made up of 10 selected fourth and fifth grade students. The elementary program will familiarize students with the computer software. Secondary schools will host one camp session per grade level. These classes of 14 students will focus on disassembling, cleaning, reassembling and learning more about the software programs.

The dates of the after-school program and summer camp vary by campus, with the first camp beginning Jan. 22 at Justin Elementary. Interested students should contact their school to apply. A $50 tuition fee includes snacks and supplies, and scholarships are available.

"We feel that this is the best way to not only get the computers in the student's home, but to prepare the students to be able to properly use and take care of them," said Tonya Hardin, coordinator for instructional technology.

In light of rapidly changing technology, the district's technology plan replaces computers every five years. Once that functional life-span is reached, computers are historically sold as salvaged items for a very small amount. With 21 percent of the student population considered to be economically disadvantaged, district officials chose to give the computers to students to be used as an educational tool instead of disposing of the equipment.

Northwest ISD has already placed 366 free computers in the hands of its students through TechnoCamp and Computers 4 Students.