Technology in the Classroom

We are experimenting with cutting edge technology for education in our classroom. Sometimes I'm able to introduce the students to a new learning program and sometimes they're teaching me! My goal is to prepare students for college and career readiness in the 21st century which requires a high degree of online literacy. Students are taught online safety and respect as well as how to present information with engaging multimedia formats.

Each student has their own iPad and bluetooth connected keyboard. The class has an Apple TV that enables any iPad to be wirelessly projected at the front of the room. 

Our classroom has a 1:1 iPad to student ratio.

The whole school uses the Renaissance Learning Programs to assess students in math and reading. Students take short reading tests to earn points after they complete independently read books through our Accelerated Reading program. 

Students use Absolute Board and Doceri which are both whiteboard apps to project their work. We use these apps so that students can project their work for everyone to see. Students also use Quizlet, Read Naturally and various other apps for studying.  

I'm a huge fan of Khan Academy, a free personal learning program where students can each focus on their own learning goals for math through videos and short assessments. We use this website to supplement our text book learning. 

I use multiple types of assessment to gauge student learning including a mix of paper based tests, multiple choice and short answer online tests using Socrative and project based assessments. Students have used iMovie, Doceri, Haiku Deck, and Keynote to develop high interest, engaging projects. Examples will be included soon. 

As we move into the new era of the national standardized tests with Smarter Balanced, pencils and Scantron multiple choice forms are out. The entire test is given online, and it is imperative that students are confident and capable at learning and producing knowledge with technology. Nonetheless, I try to balance online learning with face-to-face learning, and make sure that students experience producing projects through technology as well as hands-on. 

Students type essays and share information on our class blog and Google Drive.