Le Mars Community High School sophomore literature class students Shelby McClure, Stephanie Conley and Breanne Needs demonstrate the Kurzweil reading program on one of the four new laptop computers purchased by the school with a Best Buy Teach™ Award. The program highlights text enabling students to read along as the text is read aloud by the program. [Click to enlarge]

A Le Mars Community Schools teacher has received a 2008 Best Buy Teach™ Award of $2,000 enabling the school to purchase four laptop computers for classroom use.

It was at the suggestion of the Sioux City Best Buy store's assistant manager that LCS teacher Pam Hirschman write an essay on how she would use technology in the classroom. She thought of her "struggling students" who need the extra help in reading and writing. That was in October 2007.

In February, Hirschman received a phone call at school that she had received the award, one of only two in northwest Iowa.

I"m still in shock," she said.

Hirschman said high school principal Larry Johnson secured another $400 to enable the school to purchase the four laptop computers.

"That help took us over the top," Hirschman said. "The district was very supportive and the administration went to bat for our kids."

She also credits the store which was able to offer a good deal on the computers.

"Our tech guys put together the programs we needed on these computers," Hirschman continued.

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One of those programs is the "Kurzweil" reading program. The program allows students to follow a story or article on the screen by highlighting the text, and having it read aloud to them. The program is adjustable in speed so students can read at a pace comfortable for them.

"It helps them because they can also hear rather than just read what they have written," Hirschman explained.

A writing program helps students improve their writing skills. The same process can be used for schoolwork the student has written.

In another way, students can use the computer program to take a test at their own pace.

Hirschman sees the addition and portability of the computers as a big plus.

"Our students are excited to use the computers and the programs to help them in their studies," Hirschman said. She also sees them developing other skills as well. "They will make awesome employees," she said.