By Jason Menth, technology integrationist at Talahi Community School
At Talahi Community School, digital tools, mainly iPads, are used to further understanding of student learning and to apply creative thinking in ways that other learning tools wouldn’t be able to do. Passionate teachers design lessons to make learning richer and deeper for students.
Kindergarten students use iPads in small groups to further their understanding of letter sounds and to listen to reading. With a vast array of interactive and data collecting apps and programs, teachers are able to monitor student progress and comprehension.
MobyMax is a popular first-grade online program. It allows students to have lessons developed at each individual learning level. Students have opportunities to learn about core subjects while progress data is collected. First-grade students also record their reading to listen for fluency. Just recently, they did a Google Hangout video conference with a different first-grade class from another school district to compare and contrast what they’re learning.
Second-grade students love the Flipgrid app. Flipgrid lets students amplify their voice and share their learning through video. Other students in class, as well as teachers, watch the video and are able to give feedback.
Third-graders create digital books using the app Book Creator. Students put their own writing, illustrations, photos or videos, and voice in a digital presentation. Third-grade teachers use the app Seesaw, a learning management system that can give assignments to students, provide feedback, send announcements and store all the learning from the students in a digital portfolio. It gives teachers insight on a comprehensive level to see how students are performing.
Social studies is a great way to utilize iPads for fourth-grade students. Google Slides gives students a platform to combine their research work with images and video to present to the class. Some students even turn their presentations into a QR code so anyone can scan it and find their work.
Fifth-grade students use Google Classroom as a learning management system. Teachers send information and assignments for students to complete via Google Classroom. Students then complete those assignments and upload them back to their teacher. It’s also a great way for teachers to send helpful links or other resources to students for further learning.
Third-, fourth- and fifth-graders also enjoy using ALEKS. ALEKS is an online math program that uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn’t know in a course.
Finally, teachers outside of the main classroom use iPads as well. In music, teachers have their students use the app GarageBand to create their own songs and uploaded them to their Google Classroom page for their teacher and others to listen to. Some students learn how to create trailers to a movie using the iMovie app while others learn 3D design for the 3D printer using TinkerCad.
District 742 is very fortunate to have such great staff and students that understand how a digital tool such as an iPad can help students engage on a richer, deeper level and create a path to new learning that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.
