Oxford Teachers Get Money for Making Learning Fun

Innovative teachers in the Oxford School District recently earned more than $65,000 to help students enjoy learning.

Inside the Oxford High School library, it is not uncommon to see students studying and preparing for class. Now, thanks to a grant of just under $6,000 from the Oxford School District Foundation (OSDF), librarian Amanda Osborne says students will soon be using VR headsets to help them learn in a virtual world.

“I definitely think that providing those very visual experiences is gonna be good for students,” says Osborne. “They have so much technology in their hands that if you can capture their attention with a piece of technology, they’re gonna be hooked and they’re going to remember more.”

Last year Osborne was also able to secure funding for a 3D printer allowing for students to get hands-on with creating and learning.

Funding projects that promote new ways of learning is the main goal of the foundation’s grant program, according to OSDF President Donna Strum.

“Anytime you can experience it, not just read about a 3D printer or see it on a YouTube video but actually get to think, ‘How do I want to create and use it?,’ you learn better,” Strum said.

Osborne’s virtual reality project is just one of the grants that OSDF awarded to 27 teachers in the district.