Glenville-Emmons schools recently received a $136,258 technology grant to train staff and bring new technologies to the classroom.

“Our main goal here, too, is to really get kids more involved in learning through technology. It’s a new generation, and kids are really technical-savvy, and they want that technology,” said Superintendent Mark Roubinek.

“We want to incorporate more of that in our school and get kids excited about it and be more interactive learners, and this is a good way to do it,” he added.

Glenville-Emmons received the Enhancing Education through Technology Grant — nicknamed E2T2 — for schools that meet certain criteria, one being a district enrollment of fewer than 10,000 students. A total of about $1.8 million was award to 14 schools across the state. More than 90 Minnesota schools applied.

The grant is through the federal No Child Left Behind Act, but it given out by the state, Roubinek said.

The money will be used to purchase two mobile videoconference stations that include 58-inch plasma screen televisions and a high-definition camera. The two stations are used for interactive classes and virtual fieldtrips. The two units cost more than $38,000 each. One will be used in the high school and one will be used in the elementary school.

“Were going to be able to expand the education world of our students. … Instead of having to look at books and pictures, we can now visit places, and I think that will help increase the whole quality of education,” Roubinek said.

Teachers can contact experts around the world at places like the Smithsonian Museum for an interactive tour or lesson.

“They’re at the Great Wall of China. I’m in my classroom in Glenville, and we’re talking to a guy who works for the Chinese government, gives tours, and then the kids can ask questions,” Roubinek said.

These units can also be used to interact with other teachers with similar technology, and the units can be used for teacher training.

The money will be used to purchase four interactive whiteboards that connect to a computer and a projector. Teachers can write on these boards and save material to use in future classes to review material, Roubinek said.

The boards can also be used to show videos, presentations and to play games, Roubinek said. The whiteboards will be used in the four main elementary rooms. Students will also have remote-like devices they can use to log in answers to questions and various things, he said.

Twenty-five percent of the funds will go toward staff training to better equip teachers to use these new technologies in the classroom.

After paperwork is filled out, Roubinek hopes to have the whiteboards up and running this year. He also hopes to get the conference stations sometime this school year, so they can be better utilized in 2010-11 school year.

“We’re real excited, and the staff’s excited. We think it’s going to really enhance our educational opportunities and the education our students get at our schools,” Roubinek said.