A special technology workshop for parents of children attending Clanton Intermediate School was held on Monday.

The purpose of the workshop was to familiarize parents with new technology implemented this year in the schools including a new Compass Learning system and Information Now (iNOW), which helps parents read their child’s information such as grades, attendance, etc.

Based in Austin, Texas, Compass Learning is a full suite of software and service solutions built to help educators efficiently address each student’s educational challenges, according to Compass Learning’s website.

The software is filled with activities and lessons aligned to state testing standards. Students can be assessed and placed on individual learning paths and focus on weak subject areas while enhancing others.

“It is a really great program because students are able to work on individual needs,” CIS Assistant Principal Roger Sheffield said. “Parents and students are also able to access the program, which we have found is really helpful.”

Two workshop sessions were held on Monday from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Roughly 45 parents attended each session and learned how to log in from home to check on a child’s grades or how to help the child use Compass Learning from home.

“We think it is a good thing to be able to interact with the parents and let them know the things we have going on at the school,” Sheffield said. “It gives us a way to connect with the parents about technology.”

CIS received 60 Google Chrome computers this year for children at the school to use, and 30 iPads they can check out while at school.

Sheffield said with the addition of newer technology implemented at CIS, the school now has three computer labs.

“We were able to open two additional labs,” Sheffield said. “This allows students the option to come and work on different school assignments. We also have the labs open before school from 7 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. so students can come and work on things before school.”

The workshop was free to parents, and no prior computer skills were required.

Sheffield said CIS plans to offer a parental technology workshop in the spring as well.

“It is great that we are offering new technology in schools, but our goal is to familiarize the parents with it as well so they know how they can work with their children,” Sheffield said.