Sanger high seeks to end digital divide

FRESNO, Calif (KFSN) -- A pleasant surprise greeted Sanger High school students this year.iPad and "Google Classroom" have transformed their educational experience.

The iPad in Mrs. Roland's 9th grade English class at Sanger High put the lesson plan at the students' fingertips.

Freshman Jonathan Maravilla said, "They're very easy to adapt to. I like them."

The technological transition from textbooks has moved quickly. Less books has meant a lighter backpack.

Maravilla said, "It's pretty heavy but now that I have the iPad it's a huge improvement."

For many Sanger families the iPad help to bridge the technological divide. The students take them home every day.

English teacher Nicole Roland said, "Now all students can tackle the lesson. They can do it on their own time and it really extends the walls of the classroom. It becomes more active and on their level, at their pace."

Roland was among the Sanger High teachers who went through summer training sessions to prepare for the school year.

Teachers and students were connected to "Google Classroom," where assistant principal Kirstin Coronado said parents can check on their kids' progress.

Coronado explained, "It's all on-line so they don't have to have a way to print something off. They can go ahead and go through and submit it and the teacher is able to be interactive."

Sanger handed out close to 3,000 iPad this year. So far it has been a smooth transition.