Personal Devices
iPads, iPods, Nexus 7 tablets are some examples of technology that our students are having the opportunity of using. They are able to learn and utilize 21st century skills to improve on the educational experience. With the use of these devices, students are able communicate and collaborate more effectively providing them
So, where are all of these devices within the walls of HCS? Here's the breakdown:
PreK-3 Classrooms: Clusters of iPod Touches for individual and collaborative learning. To close any potential achievement gaps, each incoming PreK student receives an iPod Touch the summer before enter HCS. These iPods are loaded with apps that parallel the PreK screening tool. Check out the blog to learn more about this innovative program: http://hcsprekipods.blogspot.com/
Fourth Grade-Fifth Grade: Each student will have his or her Nexus 7 device to use in all curricular areas and eventually take home as an additional learning tool.
Sixth-Ninth Grade: Each student will have his or her own iPad to use in all curricular areas as well as to take home as an additional learning tool.
Response to Intervention (RtI): Many classrooms and students throughout the building have devices for specific purposes to meet the needs of students through RtI. We really have the ability to make each device match the learning profile of the student to meet individual needs, so there are a wide range of uses for these devices through RtI.
So, where are all of these devices within the walls of HCS? Here's the breakdown:
PreK-3 Classrooms: Clusters of iPod Touches for individual and collaborative learning. To close any potential achievement gaps, each incoming PreK student receives an iPod Touch the summer before enter HCS. These iPods are loaded with apps that parallel the PreK screening tool. Check out the blog to learn more about this innovative program: http://hcsprekipods.blogspot.com/
Fourth Grade-Fifth Grade: Each student will have his or her Nexus 7 device to use in all curricular areas and eventually take home as an additional learning tool.
Sixth-Ninth Grade: Each student will have his or her own iPad to use in all curricular areas as well as to take home as an additional learning tool.
Response to Intervention (RtI): Many classrooms and students throughout the building have devices for specific purposes to meet the needs of students through RtI. We really have the ability to make each device match the learning profile of the student to meet individual needs, so there are a wide range of uses for these devices through RtI.
How are we using the devices at HCS?
Web Based programs: Students are using more and more web-based programs to collaborate, create and share projects and assignments. Google Apps has a plethora of free web-based software that our students are utilizing to make their educational experience as rich and all encompassing as possible.
Formative Assessments: Students use the iPod Touches and iPads to quickly provide feedback to their teachers using Poll Everywhere, ResponseWare, and E-Clicker to send polls to students. Data is sent back to the teacher to drive instruction in real-time so modifications to instruction can be made immediately.
Apps, Apps, Apps: It's true. There is an app for almost anything! There are thousands of apps available that enrich classroom instruction, and we have found many of the best. Check out the HCS App Database to learn more about some of the apps we use at HCS! (www.hcsappdatabase.weebly.com)
Audio Assessments: Teachers are creating audio versions of their assessments to meet the needs of diverse learners. This allows students to take the test at their own pace, while hearing the questions read aloud by one of their teachers. Students can pause the audio to stop and think and then pick-up where they last stopped. This will help to accurately evaluate student learning on assessments in all curricular areas.
Reading Reflection Journals:Students record their metacognitive thinking in their digital journal as they think about their reading and monitor for meaning. These journals are vital in teacher/student conferences.
Reference Devices: The days of waiting for current events to come out in a newspaper are over. As history is unfolding, students can follow real-time issues as they happen using Safari and the countless news apps that they can access directly from their devices!
Dragon Dictation: For some students who struggle with written fluency, it is more effective to have their written pieces be recorded and turned into a typed document to gain an accurate understanding of student learning. Dragon Dictation is an app that is used across many grade levels for this purpose and it has opened new doors for some of our learners at HCS.
Writing Workshop Publisher: Pages in an app that is used in many grade levels during the publishing stage of the Writing Workshop. Pages is an Apple program that allows students to create beautiful written work with unique text conventions to attract their chosen audience.
Emerald Apps Access: Students can access, share, edit, and collaborate with one another using their Emerald Apps accounts right from their iPod Touches and iPads.
E-Reader: In addition to the wonderful literature that is available in our libraries at HCS, students also have a built-in library on their iPod Touch and iPad with countless popular and exciting titles using Nook and iBooks, and other e-reader apps!
Dictionary/Thesaurus: How many students willingly go to the dictionary to deepen their understanding of a word? As students are reading, writing, or exploring the world around them, they can AND DO use the dictionary and thesaurus daily because it is in the palm of their hands!
Content Area References: Remember lugging around those heavy textbooks with the periodic table of elements, detailed pictures of the galaxy and planets, maps of the Civil War, and foreign language dictionaries? Textbooks are popping up all over iTunes for the iPod and iPad, and we have already begun to harness this newly created digital technology!
Digital Agendas: Many students are using the iPod Touches and iPads as digital agendas to manage schedules and homework. It is proving to be a motivational way for students to manage their schedules in the 21st century!
Math Facts Practice: Apps such as PopMath and MathBoard are great apps for students to practice their facts while remaining engaged and being challenged as they master their math facts.
Formative Assessments: Students use the iPod Touches and iPads to quickly provide feedback to their teachers using Poll Everywhere, ResponseWare, and E-Clicker to send polls to students. Data is sent back to the teacher to drive instruction in real-time so modifications to instruction can be made immediately.
Apps, Apps, Apps: It's true. There is an app for almost anything! There are thousands of apps available that enrich classroom instruction, and we have found many of the best. Check out the HCS App Database to learn more about some of the apps we use at HCS! (www.hcsappdatabase.weebly.com)
Audio Assessments: Teachers are creating audio versions of their assessments to meet the needs of diverse learners. This allows students to take the test at their own pace, while hearing the questions read aloud by one of their teachers. Students can pause the audio to stop and think and then pick-up where they last stopped. This will help to accurately evaluate student learning on assessments in all curricular areas.
Reading Reflection Journals:Students record their metacognitive thinking in their digital journal as they think about their reading and monitor for meaning. These journals are vital in teacher/student conferences.
Reference Devices: The days of waiting for current events to come out in a newspaper are over. As history is unfolding, students can follow real-time issues as they happen using Safari and the countless news apps that they can access directly from their devices!
Dragon Dictation: For some students who struggle with written fluency, it is more effective to have their written pieces be recorded and turned into a typed document to gain an accurate understanding of student learning. Dragon Dictation is an app that is used across many grade levels for this purpose and it has opened new doors for some of our learners at HCS.
Writing Workshop Publisher: Pages in an app that is used in many grade levels during the publishing stage of the Writing Workshop. Pages is an Apple program that allows students to create beautiful written work with unique text conventions to attract their chosen audience.
Emerald Apps Access: Students can access, share, edit, and collaborate with one another using their Emerald Apps accounts right from their iPod Touches and iPads.
E-Reader: In addition to the wonderful literature that is available in our libraries at HCS, students also have a built-in library on their iPod Touch and iPad with countless popular and exciting titles using Nook and iBooks, and other e-reader apps!
Dictionary/Thesaurus: How many students willingly go to the dictionary to deepen their understanding of a word? As students are reading, writing, or exploring the world around them, they can AND DO use the dictionary and thesaurus daily because it is in the palm of their hands!
Content Area References: Remember lugging around those heavy textbooks with the periodic table of elements, detailed pictures of the galaxy and planets, maps of the Civil War, and foreign language dictionaries? Textbooks are popping up all over iTunes for the iPod and iPad, and we have already begun to harness this newly created digital technology!
Digital Agendas: Many students are using the iPod Touches and iPads as digital agendas to manage schedules and homework. It is proving to be a motivational way for students to manage their schedules in the 21st century!
Math Facts Practice: Apps such as PopMath and MathBoard are great apps for students to practice their facts while remaining engaged and being challenged as they master their math facts.