Pilot Tablet Program Gets High Marks At NBHS

One-hundred-seventy freshman students at New Bedford High School have seen a significant improvement in math achievement using digital tablets.

The tablets were donated by Dr. Irwin Jacobs, the founder of Qualcomm and a former New Bedford High graduate.

Supt. Dr. Pia Durkin says both students and parents are excited about the results so far. "About 90% of these students are saying their ability to be successful in math has improved since taking this class." And Durkin says "parents are saying they overwhelmingly are seeing their children who were turned off by math to now be excited about math."

The digital program is being led by a team from the University of San Diego's Mobile Technology Learning Center.

Durkin says its clear that integrating more technology into classrooms is a key factor in education.

Dr. Jacobs will get a first hand look at the pilot program next Tuesday when he visits New Bedford High School.