MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) -- School is back in session at Madera Unified, but you won't find students in the classroom, teachers are the ones learning this time around.
This week nearly 200 Madera Unified teachers are playing the role of students. But you won't find them using any textbooks, each one is using an Apple iPad or notebook to learn about the latest in technology.
"We have offered sessions in every level. So you can be a beginning technology user and find lots of sessions specifically Google Apps, Google Docs, and things like that," said Dr. Rebecca Malmo, Director of Instructional Technology Madera Unified.
It is all part of Summertech 16-- a two-day workshop designed to get teachers up to date with what the district will offer to students in the new school year.
Sixth grade teacher Felipe Magos attended a workshops on Google drawing he believes it will be a valuable tool for his students.
"They love to work on computer. So anything that they can do, and be creative on it as well, that's going to give them an up on it. So things that I might normally have them just take paper and a pencil and draw it."
Madera Unified has over 8,000 chrome books ready to go for students on the first day of school, and another 6,000 will be handed out after that. Teachers are being trained by several education tech coaches from the district on how to use the device.
"Teachers love this opportunity to explore more deeply and learn about the tools that they have. They don't even realize that all of the tools are at their fingertips. So this give them an opportunity to investigate and explore more deeply," said Jamie Smith, Instructional Technology Coach Madera Unified.
This is the second year for Summertech and just like last year the two-day event will also feature guest speakers from Apple. The district and teachers see it as a valuable investment for learning.
"I would say that the thing that we hear the most is that we want more. They want more professional development. They want more opportunities to learn-- they're very excited to be here," said Dr. Rebecca Malmo, Director of Instructional Technology.