With more than 400 devices scattered throughout the Spring Lake Public Schools district, educators are finding they can better meet the needs of their students, and have faster feedback after quizzes and assignments.
One of the ways the staff is incorporating technology into lesson plans is by using Edmodo, an educational website similar to the social media network Facebook. On Edmodo, teachers can post assignments or quizzes for students.
Although it was a challenge at first, Jeffers Elementary School third-grade teacher Julie Kitchel said her students have quickly learned the ins and outs of many applications they use in class.
“It’s a lot of fun when they can stand up and teach each other,” she said.
As the year progresses, Kitchel hopes to have her students working more in groups for project-based instruction.
After studying a character throughout a book series, Betsy Kipling’s sixth-grade class at Spring Lake Intermediate School used the iMovie video-making application to create movie trailers to entice their peers into reading the series.
Kipling said one of the biggest changes to incorporating the technology is realizing she’s no longer the keeper of knowledge, because the students have it right at their fingertips.
“It’s so cool,” she said.
Although sixth-grader Charlie Parker said it’s fun using the iPad, the privilege comes with responsibility because they have to take precautions — such as not running with it or placing drinks near it.
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