ViewSonic Improves Technological Knowledge Among Students in A Rural School

PROFILE
Malihue Private School, officially known as Corporación Educacional Malihue, was founded on April 20, 1994, by its current director, Eugenia Rivas, who initially began with only seven students. Located in a rural area of the Los Lagos region in southern Chile, the school sits in the town of Malihue, with the nearest city, Los Lagos, approximately 27 kilometers away.

Today, the school serves 62 students from first to eighth grade and employs a teaching staff of 11, including a specialized integration team consisting of a special education teacher, psychologist, and speech therapist. All students come from remote rural areas with high levels of socioeconomic vulnerability. Due to the isolated locations of their homes, direct transportation options are unavailable. To address this challenge and ensure access to education, the school provides its own transportation for the students.

CHALLENGE
Situated in a rural, high-vulnerability area in southern Chile, Malihue School has struggled with limited access to technology and resources since its inception. One of its primary challenges has been the lack of technological infrastructure necessary to support students’ learning and prepare them for a digital, modern educational landscape.

Additionally, the area suffers from a weak internet signal, further restricting access to digital resources. This lack of connectivity affects not only students but also teachers, limiting their ability to incorporate modern tools and teaching materials. A major concern for the principal and teachers has been the students’ limited exposure to technology, which has left them ill-prepared for higher levels of education where digital literacy is vital. Graduates from Malihue School’s eighth grade often face a more technologically advanced academic environment than they are ready for, putting them at a disadvantage compared to peers from other institutions.

Much of this issue stems from the students’ socioeconomic backgrounds, as many come from low-income families without access to devices like computers or tablets at home. “Our students were unable to access the technology they needed to compete in today’s world, and this was a serious concern for us,” expressed Director Eugenia Rivas. “We wanted to give them the best possible opportunities.”

The limitations of traditional teaching tools, such as projectors and worksheets, further complicated the school’s efforts to create an interactive and engaging learning environment. Teachers found it challenging to motivate students and make lessons more dynamic and impactful.

To overcome these barriers, the school embarked on a search for innovative solutions to improve students’ learning experiences and expand their knowledge of essential tools for both education and future career prospects.

SOLUTION
To tackle these challenges, the teaching staff at Malihue School, led by Director Eugenia Rivas, decided in 2023 to implement interactive displays in the classrooms. The idea originated from a teachers’ meeting where they discussed the pressing need to modernize their educational tools. Inspired by news that nearby schools had successfully integrated interactive displays, the Malihue team arranged a visit to one of these schools.

This visit allowed them to experience firsthand the displays’ functionality and observe their potential to enhance classroom engagement. Impressed by what they saw, the team returned motivated to bring this technology to their own students. Following this decision, Innovaxis, a partner of ViewSonic with whom Malihue had collaborated on previous projects, provided an introductory session on ViewSonic’s ViewBoard® interactive displays. Innovaxis introduced the teaching staff to the capabilities of these displays, emphasizing the immersive and interactive benefits that would transform the classroom environment.

After careful consideration, Malihue School chose to invest in ViewSonic’s ViewBoard® IFP6552 displays, selecting them for their quality, durability, and robust technical support. By the end of 2023, they had ordered four displays—one for each classroom. Once the displays were installed, additional training sessions were conducted to ensure all teachers could effectively integrate this new technology into their lessons. Younger, tech-savvy teachers played a crucial role in supporting their colleagues, offering guidance and sharing best practices during the transition.

Director Rivas emphasized the importance of this training, stating, “The training we received was crucial. It allowed us to feel confident and prepared to use this new technology in our classrooms. Our teachers felt empowered and ready to embrace the change.”

The impact of the interactive displays was immediate. Teachers could now access educational resources and teaching materials quickly, enhancing teaching efficiency and allowing more time for interactive learning. Students were able to engage directly with digital content, making lessons more dynamic, interactive, and accessible.

RESULT
The implementation of the ViewBoard® IFP6552 displays has led to notable positive outcomes across various aspects of student learning and engagement at Malihue School. School authorities report that students are more enthusiastic and committed to their studies, thanks to interactive tools that make lessons dynamic and accessible. Teachers, too, benefit from the ease of accessing educational resources and teaching materials, which has streamlined lesson planning, saved time, and improved overall teaching efficiency.

The displays have been especially impactful for eighth-grade students, who now feel better equipped to tackle the technological demands they will face in high school. Angélica Rivas, Head of the Technical Pedagogical Unit (UTP), notes that the displays have been particularly advantageous for students with learning challenges, who have shown remarkable improvement in reading, oral expression, and self-esteem through the use of these interactive tools.

The displays have also had a positive impact on the wider school community. Parents and guardians have noticed significant progress in their children’s academic performance and motivation, and have expressed their appreciation for the school’s efforts. The school has even received positive feedback from visiting university students, who have remarked on Malihue’s advanced technological resources compared to their own institutions.

Primary education teacher Carolina Rañiman highlights the interactive displays’ effectiveness in providing immediate access to educational materials and relevant applications. “In my history and science classes for first, second, and third graders, it has been incredibly easy to enrich the curriculum with these displays,” she explains. Through the displays, students have been able to explore Google Earth to observe continents, study the Earth’s shapes, and view Chile from north to south. These tools allow young learners to differentiate climates, vegetation, and regions, and to discover native animals across diverse areas of the country.

As Director Rivas sums up, “We have seen a significant change in the performance and motivation of our students. Technology has not only facilitated teaching, but it has also sparked a genuine interest in learning.” The experience of Malihue Private School demonstrates how technological innovation in rural settings can transform education, providing students with the tools they need to succeed in the future. The school plans to continue expanding its technological infrastructure to keep improving educational quality and offer an even more enriching learning environment.