The Garden City Telegram
NEW E-Edition!
Subscription
Required
Add Your Comment | Read (0) Comments
USD 457 talks classroom technology
Published 2/7/2012 in Local News
CORRECTION: The name of a newly hired assistant wrestling coach at Garden City High School was incorrect in the original version of this story. Jacob Waller was approved to have a prorated salary as an assistant wrestling coach at GCHS. This additional position will be funded by The Takedown Club.
By RACHAEL GRAY
rgray@gctelegram.com
1
Courtesy photo Audrey Cady tries out a hand-grip heart monitor in a seventh-grade science Technology Rich Classroom at Kenneth Henderson Middle School.
Technology both changes the way teachers present information and the ways in which students absorb that information.
That message was given to the USD 457 school board Monday night after four teachers from Kenneth Henderson Middle School and Abe Hubert Middle School gave presentations on how they are using new technology in their science classrooms.
The district had received a $100,000 grant from the state under the Technology Rich Classroom program. The purpose of the TRC program is to provide evidence that technology integrated into a tech-rich learning environment and supported by strong, ongoing professional development, can produce positive changes in the classroom environment that result in improved student learning in the areas of reading, math and science, according to the group's presentation.
Under the TRC initiative, the teachers have access to 26 student laptops, 14 student iPads, two teacher iPads, two SMART Boards and mounted projectors and other equipment.
Alex and Liesbeth Koning teach at Kenneth Henderson Middle School and Jamie Bradford and Dayne Fletke teach at Abe Hubert Middle School.
The teachers explained to the school board Monday night how they use the new kinds of technology to teach lessons, research and perform science experiments.
Alex Koning said doing experiments with the iPad is helpful for students because it's more mobile than a laptop.
Fletke and Bradford said students take screenshots of different phases of cell division and make movies in iMovie, a video editing app, to better understand the concept.
All four teachers use different apps, or applications, to teach.
Rick Atha, superintendent, asked the teachers three reasons why technology has improved their teaching.
Liesbeth Koning said the use of technology brings students up to speed with 21st century learning, and used one of her favorite quotes.
"It's not about how much knowledge is in their head. It's about how much is in their hand," she said.
Alex Koning said science is a subject that can be further explored through technology.
"It really brings scientific inquiry to a whole new level," he said.
Fletke said the technology enables students to share what they've learned and be creative at the same time.
Bradford, who has been teaching for 12 years, said the access to new technology and different ways of teaching has rejuvenated her ideas to present information as a teacher.
Casey Wise, technology mentor with the district, said the technology enables students to work at different levels. Some students may be satisfied with the information they learned and others can continue to research and learn about the topic, he said.
Mark Rude, board member, said he was concerned about replacing the teacher to student interaction, and asked the teachers if they had any concerns about the technology serving as a possible distraction.
Liesbeth Koning said she suggests good resources for the students to find information so they'll stay on those specific websites or applications.
Alex Koning said in his classroom the students have strong boundaries and lose technology privileges if they don't stay on task.
Alex Wallace, board member, asked if students were doing better on tests after they had used the technology to learn the material.
All of the teachers said their students are doing better on testing.
"It's a much deeper knowledge. We can get into it more and they can understand a lot more," he said.
The board took no action Monday night and went into a closed session to discuss personnel matters.
The following certified personnel actions were made:
* Paula Koons, first-grade teacher at Edith Scheuerman Elementary School, is submitting her letter of intent to retire at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Koons will have completed 25 years with the district, 19 years as a teacher.
* Sara Stubbins, library media specialist, is submitting her letter of retirement, effective May 30, 2012. Stubbins will have completed five years with the district and 32 total years in education.
* Deborah Yarnall, library media specialist at Garfield Elementary School, is submitting her letter of intent to retire, effective June 1, 2012. She has been in education for 33 years and 16 with the district.
* Traci Linder-Maloney, half-time six-trait writing teacher at Florence Wilson Elementary School, is requesting release from her 2011-12 contract, effective Feb. 10. A request for a waiver of the liquidated damages fee was submitted to the hearing panel. It is the recommendation of the hearing panel that the liquidated damages fee in the amount of $1,000 be assessed. It is the recommendation of administration that Lindner-Maloney be granted release from her contract and the fee be assessed. The recommendation for release from contract is due to changes in the position for the 2012-13 school year. The position will be filled by a long-term substitute for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year.
* Dayne Fletke is resigning as assistant track coach at Abe Hubert Middle School to assume the responsibilities as head coach for boys' soccer at Abe Hubert Middle School.
* Heather Stapp is resigning as assistant track coach at Kenneth Henderson Middle School, effective Jan. 17. She will be required to reimburse payment already received on the contract.
The following addenda to supplemental contracts were made:
* Dayne Fletke — Change in coaching assignment from assistant track coach at Abe Hubert Middle School to head coach for boys' soccer at Abe Hubert Middle School. Salary for the head coach position will be adjusted to reflect payment already received on the assistant coaching position.
* Derek Algrim — Adding assistant track coach at Abe Hubert Middle School.
* Jacob Waller — Adding prorated salary for assistant wrestling coach at Garden City High School. This additional position will be funded by The Takedown Club.
The following position change was made:
* Change the half-time principal at New Outlook Academy/half-time associate principal at Horace Good Middle School position that was approved for the 2012-13 school year at the Dec. 5 board meeting to a full-time principal position at NOA.
Found 0 comment(s)!