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Second Grade Students Pilot Chromebooks as Instructional Resource
Technology has changed the way educators teach, how students learn, and the way teachers and students communicate. Sperry Schools has always strived to be on the cutting edge of technology, and the elementary has raised the bar for the other sites when it recently implemented 1:1 Chromebooks in second grade.
“The benefits of using this technology with the lower grades are vast,” Elementary Principal Richard Akin said, “and will provide ubiquitous access to technology as these students will no longer be limited by scheduled times in the computer lab. This technology will increase student engagement and allow teachers to use technology in a more purposeful manner that dives deeper into the curriculum while providing differentiation both in terms of how they teach and how the students are expected to demonstrate their learning.”
Instead of using this technology as an improved, adaptive form of worksheet, second grade teachers have created meaningful projects that enhance the use of individual student technological skills while promoting critical thinking. The math and reading curriculum adopted by the second grade has built-in programs to assist in classroom instruction, allowing teachers to quickly meet the needs of each student no matter their ability level. “This individualized approach will allow for a more student centered approach rather than a teacher centered approach to teaching and learning,” Mr. Akin said. “The teachers are excited about this step forward, and that excitement quickly flows to the students as well.”
Teachers have investigated a variety of programs associated with the district adopted reading and math programs, but have also searched beyond the immediate availability of these resources and sought out more applications and programs to further enhance student learning. “One of the best aspects utilizing so many options for supplementing our instruction is the increase in meeting individual needs,” second grade teacher, Mrs. Wade, said. “I look forward to seeing students being able to more easily and continually stay engaged in learning activities no matter their pace or ability. We have been working to improve differentiation in all of our classes, and this adds a powerful resource to advance our efforts.”
One of these additional applications that has the four second grade teachers excited provides students the ability to search for appropriate reading material, check the book out, and read it without ever having to leave their seat in the classroom. After students complete their daily assignments, they will be able to browse books in their reading level and read them online, or even download them to the computer to read later. Using this multimedia environment will allow them to increase auditory, language, decoding-in-context, and story-comprehension skills. The individualized access to technology will also allow students to spend more time on SuccessMaker, an individualized computer-driven program that increases reading and math skills, without having to wait for their classes rotation to the computer lab.
The second grade teachers have worked diligently to prepare for this implementation. “Researching and planning for this step actually started last year,” Superintendent Dr. Brian Beagles noted. “Elementary staff and administration spent a great deal of their own time researching and reviewing options concerning implementing a 1:1 computer program. They visited administrators and staff at area schools that have already made this plunge and developed a well-thought out plan to move Sperry forward in the area of technology use.”
Teachers began their research with determining the most effective way to introduce the technological skills needed to effectively utilize the Chromebooks, and then use the very devices themselves as a resource to teach students the technological skills needed to effectively utilize their computers. Therefore, the curriculum for using the Chromebooks includes learning about the device and how to properly operate it. “Several of our students already know the technology well,” second grade teacher Mrs. Neece said, “and some know it much better than I do, but we first must make sure everyone knows how to effectively and properly use the Chromebooks before we move on.” One advantage to teaching students to properly use the Chromebook through having them use the Chromebook is the hands-on approach that makes students better retain the new information.
Before actually opening the cases and seeing their Chromebook, students first watched a Google slide presentation introducing them to Chromebooks and proper usage and etiquette with computers and online activity. Soon, the students will personalize their individual Chromebook cases by decorating an index card before embarking on daily lessons that include digital citizenship, logging onto the Chromebook, launching Google apps, navigating their e-mail and password, learning and practicing Google classroom skills, and how to best utilize their Chromebook for enhancing both math and reading.
The second grade teachers are excited to use a technology resource that will provide a student centered approach to the curriculum that increases differentiation and moves students more quickly towards mastery of state standards.
