The Guthrie Center School District is now well into the second year of its 1×1 laptop initiative, and while there are still some kinks in the system to iron out, Superintendent Steve Smith says the program is running more smoothly than he ever anticipated.

Smith says that staff still has to get to a greater level of comfortability using the new technology for instruction, but overall, things are improving and heading in the right direction.

“We’re very happy about where we are.  Students are… for the most part, no abuse with those computers and it’s been a positive experience, I think, for the kids.”

Smith says one of the biggest challenges with the initiative is in bridging the technological gap between the older and younger teachers in the district.  Younger teachers grew up with Internet and its capabilities, whereas older teachers are still getting the hang of things.

“The learning curve is a little different for different people, and we know that.  We certainly want to provide the opportunities for them to be able to get out and have that professional development that supports them.”

Guthrie Center teachers will have the chance to develop some of that technological savvy during an event next Wednesday.  Many teachers will be attending the West Central Iowa Tech Institute’s day-long workshop at Coon Rapids Bayard High School to learn more about how best to implement technology in the classroom.