By Erin Maxson
 
November 5, 2009
 
YREKA, Calif.-- Getting kids to pay attention in a classroom can be a challenge, especially today, with so many electronic, high tech options like computers and video games.
 
However, one Siskiyou County School District is proving that a relatively small investment can keep students engaged and grades up.
 
Most of the classrooms in the Yreka-Union Elementary School District are using active boards. The multi-piece system is like a fancy white board, an interactive tool with real time results.
 
"Pretty much anything that is on our computer can be on our active board at anytime. I can make my own lessons with the software available," 4th Grade Teacher Amy Dunlap said.
 
Each active board system cost around $5,000.
 
"So it used to be that you would give a little quiz you would get the quizzes back and it would be awhile until you could figure out that oh! this kid really doesn't understand this... Now I know instantly," Dunlap said... "Kids are more and more visual. And when they see the bright colors and the animations and the different ways of teaching, it really sparks their interest."