Throughout the curriculum and across divisions, technology is being used creatively by teachers to enrich learning for students. I’d like to highlight a couple of current initiatives in the hope they will inspire readers to explore possibilities. As teachers, our fundamental goals of having students learn and grow is unwavering. But what can change are the tools we use to reach those goals. As time passes, an increasing array of interesting tools are available that promote excitement, collaboration, independence and achievement. The examples below point to the possibilities.
There’s a great project in our Lower School that is the handiwork of Sara Swartz and Elise Smith. The idea was hatched in Summercore, the summer technology program GSB hosted in June of 2011. Sara and Elise spent some time learning Google Earth and Google Maps, web-based geography and mapping programs. They then created a learning program on penguins that emphasized natural history, geography and mentorship. The program links Sara’s third graders with Elise’s kindergarteners. Students “travel” to different areas around the world to locate different species of penguins. SMARTBoards facilitate learning, so as a kindergarten student taps the SMARTBoard third grade helpers read the information that appears on a given variety of penguin. These penguin varieties are located on a world map. A tap on New Zealand, for instance, might bring up a picture and text of the Little Blue Penguin.
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| Third grader working with a kindergarten student at the SMARTBoard |
Third graders are working with kindergarten students as both learn more about world geography, penguins and natural history. Third graders are also gaining a sense of responsibility as they help younger students, and kindergarten students are understandably excited about working with older mentors.
In the Upper school, Larry Bostian is using blogs to engage his Astronomy students. As a long-time Astronomy teacher, Larry has always challenged his students to learn the traditional content of a high school Astronomy course while at the same time keeping up with an ever-changing field. Science is expanding our understanding of the universe, and students of astronomy need to stay aware of new discoveries.
Larry is using blogs to help students stay up-to-date. Every student has a blog, hosted either by blogspot of tumblr. Students are charged with keeping their blogs active with regular postings about astronomy news and information. Student blogs include embedded video and photos.
For years, Larry has had students reflect on astronomical discoveries through writing assignments. Though they still write their thoughts, he feels they are now more engaged because they are producing work that is publicly available and because they control the blog’s design.
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Screenshot of part of a blog created for the Upper School Astronomy class To see the whole blog, go to http://astronomy3.blogspot.com/ |
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