Houston County Board of Education Bringing 21st Century to Classrooms

PERRY, Georgia (41 NBC/WMGT) – The Houston County Board of Education is bringing the 21st Century into the classroom.

They are doing it with the “Bring Your Own Device” Program (BYOD). Several schools in Houston County are participating in the pilot program. The program will allow students and teachers to connect using cell phones and tablets for learning purposes.

The program started on Monday for the high schools participating and the middle and elementary programs will begin on April 29.

Houston County Executive Director for Elementary Operations Cindy Flesher spoke with 41 NBC about the new pilot program and how that will that bring positive things to the classroom.

“We have to remind ourselves all the time in education that we’re preparing our students for jobs that haven’t been created yet,” Flesher said. “We’re trying to keep up with what’s current and what’s new and what the children are using and if we don’t incorporate this technology now we’re going to get left behind.”

The program will start in certain classrooms at Houston County High School, Northside High School, Feagin Mill Middle, and Matt Arthur Elementary.

Teachers volunteer for the program to be in their classroom.

After the initial program ends at the end of the school year, the Houston County School Board will review all of the pros and cons of the programs and work out the kinks for the 2013-2014 school year. 

Flesher told 41 NBC that the eventual goal is to have the program in all of the schools by the end of the next year.