Dorothy Ulmer uses technology in her math class at Vidalia High School everyday.

&uot;It helps the kids so much,&uot; said the geometry teacher.

And people are often surprised at all its uses in the classroom such as flashcards or memory drills, she said.

To help teachers better utilize technology, Vidalia High School received a $25,000 grant from the Rapides Foundation.

The grant provides technology training for teachers and can be renewed for an additional four years.

&uot;For years we’ve had computers in the classroom but if you don’t know how to use them they’re no use whatsoever,&uot; Ulmer said.

The training helps teachers successfully implement technology into their classrooms, she said.

For example, participating teachers have received training in the parts of the computer and practice using word processing software and other programs.

&uot;It just enables the teachers to make use of what they have is what it boils down to,&uot; Ulmer said.

The school applied for the grant last spring and began training last fall.

Ulmer said the school staff was somewhat surprised to receive the funding after submitting an application of about 50 pages.

&uot;(Rapides Foundation is) just such a big organization,&uot; Ulmer said. &uot;We just didn’t know if they would like what we were saying.&uot;

The teachers will have their next training session Thursday afternoon.

Ulmer will be speaking about the grant at a meeting of the Lion’s Club next month.