Despite more than $2.3 million in cuts to the Champaign Unit 4 school district budget for next year, technology will continue to play a key role in the classroom.

Roger Grinnip, Unit 4 Information Technology, or IT, director, said technology already in classrooms will not be affected negatively for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Gene Logas, Unit 4 chief financial officer, said of the $400,000 in departmental cuts made district-wide, $120,000 relate to a reduction in IT expenses.

“That is savings that we’re realizing because of changes in the overall infrastructure of the IT department,” Grinnip said. “By moving to newer technologies, we’re actually able to not put out the same amount of money for support, parts and supplies.”

The District purchased 600 new computers this year, which will save $120,000 in funds that would go to replacing hard drives and keyboards next year.

“The technology plan is long range,” he said. “We’re ahead of the schedule.”

Grinnip said the transition to SMART Boards has stimulated students’ visual learning and created an interactive learning environment.

Matthew Foster, principal of Bottenfield Elementary School, said technology used at the school includes SMART Boards, interactive white-boards with touch screen capabilities linked to a computer monitor. Other instruments include document cameras as well as a clicker system, which allows students to respond to questions and receive immediate feedback. He added the clicker system is beneficial to teachers, who can quickly identify student weaknesses and evaluate which materials need to be revisited.

“It’s really limitless what we can do when we have the right tools here to help engage the kids and to fine-tune instruction to meet the kids’ needs,” Foster said.

He added that Internet access allows teachers to take students on virtual field trips and utilize software programs, such as Study Island, a program designed to tutor students in math, and Quick Reads, which works to improve students’ reading fluency.

Foster said the school currently has one SMART Board per grade level, excluding kindergarten and first grade. However, two more will be purchased next year for kindergarten and first grade use.

Each SMART Board costs approximately $2,500, said Andrew Peralta, Bottenfield Elementary School teacher.

Grinnip said even before budget cuts, there were not enough funds to provide every classroom in the district with SMART Boards. However, the district has purchased over 120 SMART Boards in the past two years.

“You have to maintain a certain level of fiscal responsibility,” Grinnip said.

He added that technology is important because computer skills are essential for those planning to attend college or enter the work force.

“You have to understand various technologies to be able to function in today’s society,” Grinnip said.

Foster said students often adapt to advancing technology more quickly than instructors.

“We can actually learn from the students,” Foster said. “It’s a digital society, and it’s important that one understands how to use the media to engage the kids, as well as for the kids to be able to use it to enhance their learning experience.”

Peralta said the SMART Board in his classroom reduces the number of handouts he has to print. He added that students are more excited for lessons when they use the board.

“Research shows that the more you get them up and moving, the more they retain from the information,” Peralta said.

He added that technology allows him to pull lessons from the Internet.

“Even (in) schools that are outdated, such as ours without a computer lab,” Peralta said. “We’re able to model technology for the students.”