Wolfe County is racing to the top through the daily use of technology to access and tap into students’ interests and knowledge. Teachers at all grade levels are utilizing various computer programs (i.e. Moby Max, i-Ready, Skype, Google) and different modes of technology (Mondoboard, 3D computers, iPads, Chromebooks) to help students not only review and learn new material but to help prepare them for the 21st century.
At the middle and high school levels, English classes are using iPads to create their own flashcards, read Ebooks, do research for college English classes, and implementing vimeo for class presentations. Aviation class is using the mondoboard to demonstrate a flight simulator. Math classes utilize iPads for class competitions, boys versus girls, to review math concepts before exams. Freshmen math classes use iPads weekly to allow students to check infinite campus for grade updates (for students who don’t have a smartphone or home computer access). This access provides students with the opportunity to note past due work or missing assignments. The coding class is working on class modules posted on codehs.com. If students are absent and don’t have a computer at home they have the option to check out an iPad in order to complete their coding module. Special education classes have been on a virtual field trip to a zoo through the mondoboard, while business classes have participated in a virtual business trip. Spanish class skypes with the elementary school for Spanish lessons, and the History department recently used the mondoboard to share a video of various historical events as a culminating end of the year activity. Students enrolled in college courses have participated in class through video conferencing and skype with their college speech professor in West Virginia.
The elementary school staff and students also manipulate technology in a variety of ways daily to enhance student learning. The teacher toolbox, part of the I-Ready Computer program being piloted this school year, has multiple resources for whole class instruction and small group differentiation. Teachers are using an interactive tutorial which is also part of the I-Ready program. Students use the iPads and Chrome books daily to do Mobymax, Starfall, and to do weekly assessments in spelling and other subject areas. Computers have been used to research various topics, including Colonial Times and how the people dressed. Students put on a Colonial Fashion Show using the knowledge they acquired through their research. Currently some students are researching The Living Wax Museum in preparation for writing a report on a famous person in history. Students will dress up like their famous person and reenact their own Living Wax Museum . Smart boards are used for various types of interactive lessons, such as review games. Document cameras are used in daily instruction.
Students have access to four 3D computers in one elementary school. Students have learned about parts of the body and parts of animals through the 3D animal dissection program. The computers are also equipped with a program that allows students to create sculptures from different types of media which could be hooked to a 3D printer and printed. The computers are available for use in a computer lab for all students.
Technology is being utilized daily in the majority of the classrooms in Wolfe County, whether it is for assessment, review, or for research. Children’s knowledge of computers today is more advanced than many adults; therefore, our schools must adapt to this change and prepare students to compete with their peers for jobs when they graduate.
“The technology you use impresses no one, the experience you create with it is everything.” ~Sean Gerety
Contributing to this article: Angie Halsey, Sasha Creech, Alberta Salyers, Sally Stewart and Wilma Terrill.
