Starting this year, any classroom at Escambia Academy can be turned into a computer lab.

Last April, the Canoe school held an auction and used some of the money raised to purchase 20 HP laptops. Each computer has Windows 10 and coupled with the school having Microsoft’s E3 program, each user has access to the computer company’s suite of office products.

EA Headmaster Wade Heigle said the mobile computer lab is beneficial for any classroom.

“The computer lab will turn any classroom into a computer lab,” Heigle said. “The teacher can incorporate tech with any lesson at any time.”

One of the main reasons why EA needed a mobile computer lab was to allow the younger students access to the technology.

Tim Doerr, an EA board member, said the elementary school students haven’t had the opportunity to use computers. With the new lab, they can, he said.

“We took them over for a few trips (in the past),” Doerr said. “They did basic keyboarding. There wasn’t any coding or anything advanced.

“The kids really enjoyed it,” he said.

Doerr said he talked with Heigle about introducing laptops to the students, and the idea for the lab was born.

“My philosophy is that in K-4 to fifth grade — and I’m not an educator — the touch screens are nice for the younger kids,” Doerr said. “In middle school and up, the kids are already using the Internet.”

Doerr said a lot of the younger — elementary — generation are used to using touch screens already, and added the laptops will enable the students to start typing.

Doerr said along with the Microsoft suite of office products, students will be able to save their files on the cloud, which is a part of the school’s network.

Another reason why the computer lab benefits EA is because it allows students to take tests online as well.

Doerr said before the lab was put together, classrooms had one or two computers in each.

“Now, teachers can roll the cart up and give a laptop to each student,” he said.

Doerr said teaching students basic computer skills is essential.

“This knowledge can take them anywhere,” he said.

Doerr said the computer lab wouldn’t have been put together without community support.

“We are so grateful for every business that has turned out to either donate (items for the auction), came and bid and to the citizens that turned out,” he said. “The community came together to support the school.”

Heigle said businesses from all over the region helped with the effort.