Making the connection
Students excited to learn with the use of technology
By Jennifer Burden
Brandi Sullivan’s first-grade class is searching for books.
Six-year-old Meadowlark Elementary School student Maddison Ragels selects
“Green Eggs and Ham,” “Happy Easter, Dear Dragon” and “3 Little Pilgrims.”
Fellow student Keesee Bennett drags her bucket of books to a
corner of the classroom. She puts on a pair of headphones that are connected to
an iTouch and begins to read “Sleepy Dog” aloud in her one-inch voice.
“Time for bed sleepy head,” Bennett says.
She records herself reading with her iTouch. She reads the
book through a second time until she gets a recording she likes. She saves it
and hands the iTouch off to another student.
Every Monday, Mrs. Sullivan’s students record themselves
reading. With the help of technology, like an iTouch, the students are learning
to love every subject.
“They really look forward to Mondays,” Sullivan said. “They
are always asking me if it’s Monday yet.”
By recording the students throughout the year, it allows
teachers, parents and even the students themselves to measure their growth.
Slate and chalk were once the tools of the time. Dry-erase
boards followed. Now, it’s iPods, iPads and iTouches, Smart Boards and
computers.
With the help of technology, teachers and students in the
district are expanding learning.
“The students can hear themselves,” said Myra Camino,
instructional facilitator for the Johnson County School District. “It’s positive
reinforcement. The students can use the technology for word games, spelling
activities, flash cards. They can work on writing cursive. The programs are all
educationally based.”
Technology like an iPad allows Johnson County School
district students to access over 300 applications, all of which are related to
learning.
“And the teachers are finding more applications every day,”
Camino said. “We are connecting technology to successful learning. The students
love the technology. It really is becoming a motivating factor.”
Teachers in Kaycee are using technology to connect ESL, or
English as a second language, students and parents to the classroom. With the
use of online translators, teachers can communicate with parents who don’t
speak English.
Technology in the classrooms is also allowing teachers to
cater to individual student’s needs. Camino said if a third grade student has
memorized their one-through-six timetables, they can move on to the next set
with the use of an iPad or an iTouch. Every student can learn at his or her own
speed and ability.
And special education students are using technology to take
one-minute math tests every week. It’s making math fun, and it’s encouraging
students to learn.
“With technology, you are bridging the gap between the haves
and the have nots,” Camino said. “It provides a leveling field. All kids are
exposed to the same tools.”
Camino said using audio books allows students who may not be
on grade level to participate with students who are.
“It boosts their self esteem,” Camino said.
The librarians at each school, the teachers district-wide
and the administrators have been crucial as far as implementing the technology,
Camino said.
“The librarians help get the audio e-books,” Camino said.
“And the teachers are the ones willing to give different applications a shot.
And the administrators and principals – they are progressive and allowing us to
give this a shot.”
The students are able to learn the basics of a subject all
the way to an advanced level for their grade level. Students are excited about
learning.
“Technology is also helping with career readiness,” Camino
said. “These are transition tools. Our students are going to be prepared. It’s
really exciting.”
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