STSD Curriculum & Technology Update

Regular updates and musings on curriculum and technology in the Salisbury Township School District in Allentown, PA.

Interactive Whiteboard in 6th Grade

Some days I find myself sitting back and reflecting on my current day’s lesson plans.  I can’t imagine teaching without an interactive whiteboard and laptop computers.  The student engagement level has increased tremendously since I have started integrating technology into my curriculum.  I use the interactive whiteboard in all aspects of my instruction from developing photo stories for vocabulary to creating interactive study guides for science.  This year, my students are excited to write!  They love being able to develop their thoughts on our classroom laptops.  I believe having an interactive whiteboard has improved my teaching and enhanced my ability to reflect on my practice.

Meghan Pruner - 6th Grade Learning Support - Salisbury Middle School

Technology is Alive and Well at Western!

As a third grade teacher, I integrate technology into my curriculum as often as possible.  Our classroom experiences are not confined to the computer lab.  Allow me to share with you one of my recent technology adventures.

On Tuesday, January 22, the entire 3rd grade at WSE traveled via technology to the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, VA.  The purpose of this activity was to supplement our Language Arts curriculum.  Our current reading program explores several disasters and this particular program offered insight into the voyage of the Titanic.

Our third grade students were active participants throughout the hour.  They were engaged with the presenter and found bits and pieces of new information regarding this historic voyage.  This program was originally scheduled during the disaster unit of study, however, the museum encountered several personnel and equipment problems which forced a cancellation on the day of the online reservation.

As with any outside presentation, there are always positive and negative issues to address.  The last minute cancellation was only one issue I had to bear.  Prior to the original booking, I was sent information regarding the presentation.  Several concepts sent up a red flag for me; suicide aboard ship, socially unacceptable gestures and the memorable “car” scene from the movie.  All three of these items were not appropriate for this age group.  After several phone calls, we were assured that the content would be appropriate.

I have found with integrating technology into my classroom, up-front work is necessary and often time consuming.  I spent approximately four hours investigating and planning with this activity.  I realize that this may not have been the normal experience, and I will try again this spring to bring another program into our class.  I now know more specific questions to ask when inquiring about a program.

Our technology growth is a team effort.  Debbie Caldwell, our building computer technician, spent time and effort testing our equipment for both scheduled presentations.  Planning and preparation from both the sponsor of the event and the school are essential to a successful production. 

Kathy DeBona - Third Grade Teacher, Western Salisbury Elementary School

Ain’t Gonna Hold Us Back (D-I-G-I-T-A-L)

Like many of my “baby boomer” generation counterparts, I have found myself fascinated, overwhelmed, challenged, stretched, excited, intrigued, and amazed by the integration of emerging technologies into our lives, our workplace, and our learning environments.  As a teacher and reading specialist, I will always value the personal ownership of books where we can write our names inside the cover to mark them as ours, jot notes in the margins about our thinking, and highlight the “nuggets” of another person’s thoughts that speak to us. 

This “baby boomer” is also learning the value of collaborative technologies that allow us to share our thinking and communicate more broadly than has ever been possible.  I am ready to make room for and learn from the new generation of “digital learners” who have access to more information than was ever thought possible and who are able to communicate in ways beyond our comprehension ten or fifteen years ago.  We use to talk about learning styles and people being auditory or visual learners.  Well, there is new meaning to the phrase “visual learner” and I am learning to make room for and become a digital learner....a new reality for me, but the “way it is” for these first graders!!  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!  I would love to hear your reactions. 

Aint Gonna Hold Us Back (D-I-G-I-T-A-L)

Podcasting and the Interactive Whiteboard

I’m starting to have a group of children in math create tutorials using electronic tablets and the SmartBoard recorder. We are focusing on open-ended problems for the PSSA. The students type in an open-ended problem and use the tablet for writing and showing their math work.  By using the recorder, they are dictating how they are solving the problems.  I can quickly assess their understanding and application of the learned skills.  If necessary they make modifications to their tutorials.

They are able to save this file for future use.  I am going to categorize the problems and then use them as tutorials for other students.  It is my goal to have a full library of tutorials for students to access as needed.  Maybe I’ll even be able to link them to their Study Island activities.

It is taking students longer than I expected to create these instructional podcasts. The time is well spent because it forces the students to clarify and verbalize their thinking.  I’m hoping the students will get faster as they become more comfortable working in the program.

Sample Podcast (AVI file - 27 MB)

Cathy Yurconic

Two Short Videos

Two short videos that can spark discussion about both students and teachers in the 21st century…

Students in the 21st Century

Pedagogical DNA

Is our district on this path? Do you think it is the right one?