SACO — Students at Thornton Academy Middle School say technology has helped enhance their education and make scheduling more efficient.

Technology can, as seventh-grader Scout Nasse said, help “take it up a level.”  For example, technology can be used for interactive, real-time learning opportunities and allow students to incorporate multimedia when working on projects.

Eighth-grader Delaney Roche said through the program Powerschool and email students can access information like their grades and can communicate to teachers if they have a question about an assignment or  missed a day of school and need to get caught up.

Through a system called eBackpack, students access their assignments on their tablet and when complete, send them to their teacher.

“It makes things a lot simpler,” said eighth-grader Ryan Murray. “You can’t really lose the assignment.”

Technology at Thornton Academy Middle School isn’t just for academics.

Eighth-graders Ava Menard and Sydney Bridges use Google sheets to work on a notice with other Honors Club members about an upcoming event. They say they and other club members use their iPads to stay in contact with each other and the advisor and to work on group projects.

“It keeps us organized,” said Menard.

Seventh-grader Maddison Desjardins used her MacBook Air to demonstrate how students are using a program called Aurasma to create an interactive yearbook. 

“It’s like you take your yearbook beyond just a book,” said Desjardins.

Fellow eighth-grader Mia-Claire Kezal said students will be able to access the yearbook for years to come so they can “relive middle school” and the memories.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.