Sacred Heart Schools
FROM THE HEAD &
INSIDE:
the Heart
Nat Wilburn, Head of Schools
From iPads to Netbooks, to a tech day with a leading expert, technology is at the forefront
Nat Wilburn
Head of Schools
FROM THE HEAD
W A tech explosion at SHS Goal 2 Criterion 4 The faculty utilizes a variety of teaching and learning strategies that recognize the individual needs of the students. Criterion 6 Members of the school community model and teach ethical and respectful use of technology.
iPads in Action! LEFT: Sophia Danak (left) and Caroline Gillespie
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RIGHT: Tommy McCauley, Betsy Fallon and Frankie Muscarello
and the Heart
FALL 2011
ith our focus for this school year on Goal 2, a deep respect for intellectual values, it is fitting that we take a closer look at the role that technology plays in the development of intellectual values at Hardey and the Academy. Both the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education and current academic standards consistently articulate the need for students to be adequately prepared for the role technology plays in the world. The International Society for Technology in Education has created benchmarks to help educators ensure that students are equipped with 21st century technology skills. Much of the current curriculum around technology at Sacred Heart is grounded in these NETS standards. Criterion 6 of Goal II also calls us to, “...model and teach ethical and respectful use of technology.” Curriculum is constantly evolving, so when the faculty met in grade-specific teams last summer to set goals for the coming school year there was a clear desire from everyone to further “integrate” technology into the curriculum. We have responded. This issue of From the Head and the Heart delineates some of the many ways technology is used to enhance the learning of our students. It is devoted to giving you an inside look at how our teachers use the many tools at hand to enrich the experience of their classes. As only one example, this fall we invited a leading expert in the field, Dr. Larry Rosen, to speak to our students, faculty and parents. He examined both the potential pitfalls and potential benefits of technology in the “iGeneration.” The explosion of mobile devices leaves this an area that changes with lightning speed. And, yes, there is also the introduction of the Ipads... It is difficult to keep up with the evolution of technology, but as educators we are committed to constantly exploring tools and expanding methods to help our students learn. I hope you enjoy reading about our most recent endeavors.
Nat Wilburn, Head of Schools
Hana Uddin opens Teddy Braman (from l), Cam Booker and Will Beard play Top It, A1 teacher Freer Goodbody and Alexandra Kerr Brain Pop on the iPad. an Everyday math game that coordinates with their math program. share an “Ah-ha” moment with the new iPad.
New for 2011-12
Primary School introduces iPad program Educational apps enhance learning
T
he Primary School has instituted a new iPad program in grades K-2 for the 2011-12 school year. In an effort to put technology into the hands of the students at an early age, the administration chose iPads as a tool that would allow the teachers to easily integrate tech resources with the younger children. The iPad’s facile nature along with its familiarity and reliability recommended it. The cost of adopting and maintaining the devices also made it an attractive option. It was a popular choice! “It’s amazing to see how quickly the students become engaged after just a few minutes of using the iPads,” noted Ademola Popoola, the Schools’ Technology Integration Special‘When the ist. “You can see the learning take place boys see immediately.” Betsy Fallon, H1 teacher, agrees. the iPad “When the boys see the iPad cart roll cart roll into into the room, their eyes light up!” She the room, says they love to play Balloon Pop to practice their addition facts and Top their eyes It, another math app, with a partner. light up!’ “The first grade team is really excited to incorporate this technology into every area of our curriculum,”she adds. Two carts holding 20 iPads each travel to the PS classrooms, easily accessible to the teachers and students. They utilize the McGraw Hill Everyday Math Program apps, the math series used in the classroom, in addition to a spelling app and BrainPop. The teachers have also evaluated and implemented several writing, reading, geography and drawing apps to use in conjunction with the units they cover. The Kindergarten classes have even started to take advantage of
the handwriting apps installed on the devices. “One of the kindergarten teachers informed me that using the iPads has helped to improve the motor skills for two of her students who previously found it a challenging task,” said Popoola. “The use of iPads in our classroom enriches the childrens’ minds while introducing different techniques for learning,” adds Freer Goodbody, A1 teacher. After two months of use, what seems to be the greatest benefit of iPads in Primary School? Popoola cites ease of use. “At this age, it is a lot easier to tap, touch and swipe than it is to learn how to move a mouse and right-click/ left-click.” Because many of the students have already been exposed to an iPad at home, the teacher spends minimal time showing how to use the device. Another advantage is battery life. The iPads can be used all day without having to recharge. “In addition,” notes Popoola, “as part of Apple’s Volume Purchasing Program, we are able to purchase most apps for 50% off. Buying 20 apps at $1 per device is a huge difference from buying software licenses for our laptops.”
Ademola Popoola conducts teacher training on the iPad with PS faculty Cynthia Bartkus (left) and Mary Virok.
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Leading expert shares
‘Rewired: The iGeneration and How Kids Learn’ is focus o Meg Steele and Anders Dugenske KDG are equally amazed by the new iPad.
Q&A
with Meg Steele
Primary School Head on the iPad use
Q
How often do the PS classes use the new iPads? Daily! The carts are in constant motion as the classes share them. For example, Kindergarten has done some initial work on number formation, as well as reading and math games. Ademola Popoola has spent time with classes as the teachers introduce the iPads and with grade level teams to train them as questions arise.
Q
How did we come to have an iPad program for the Primary School? Last year, Ademola and I researched other schools using them, and along with A1 teacher Freer Goodbody, visited the Burley School in Lakeview. We wanted to see how teachers would use iPads to enhance instruction and be more than fun toys. Freer and Julie Tommelein then went to some iPad workshops and the Illinois Computing Educators conference last winter.
Q
What specific units are teachers presenting using the new iPads? They are using the McGraw Hill Math apps, along with writing, reading, spelling, geography and drawing apps – teachers are constantly exploring how best to use them for instruction.
Q
How do the kids like them? The kids love the iPads. Many are quite familiar with them already from home. All are enjoying the adventure. Middle school students have stopped by to ask me why the little ones got them before they did. They are quite indignant!
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D
r. Larry Rosen is a baby boomer How should parents monitor this? who “gets it” when it comes to Rosen suggests a 15-minute weekly technology. A self-professed comfamily meeting, preferably on the floor, puter geek as a chid, he morphed his math where parents ask kids – at eye level – and psychology degrees into an international what they have done that’s fun with tech reputation as an expert in the “Psychology of that week. “The kids should talk and Technology.” parents should smile and build trust,” he With four books under his belt, says. “Start this very young, so when they this Professor of Psychology at California get older there is an open line of comState University has been spreading the munication.” word on today’s tech revolution. Rosen’s Cell phones part of mobile era latest tome, “Rewired: The iGeneration Another common question is “At and How Kids Learn,” was the focus of what age should cell his full day and evening visit at SHS on phones be allowed?” ‘They are an Oct. 18. Rosen perceives Beginning with a presentation to this as younger and generation. W the faculty and staff before school, Rosen younger. “When tools.’ spent the day speaking to students in they say they have grades 2-8, grouped within divisions, no social life, and all and to smaller groups of teachers and their friends have one, it’s time.” While administrators. More that 70 parents phones are often used by children to attended his evening talk, sprinkled keep up with their friends on Facebook, with anecdotes, eye-opening stats, and he reminds parents that Facebook is legal concrete advice for a mom or dad trying only for those 13 and up. “Many cheat, to keep up and cope with their “wired” though,” he adds. offspring. While the 90’s was the digital genDealing with texting explosion eration, the 2000’s is the mobile genera In text-speak, do you know what tion. He sees smart phones as someday “POS” means? No, not “point of sale.” SHS students immediately recognized it as “Parent Over Shoulder.” Texting is the primary communication vehicle for teens, at an average of 3,700 per month and pre-teens at an average 1,200 per month. “This is not necessarily a bad thing,” Rosen said. “It is good that they are communicating more than ever. Texting is communication, On tour... Anna Cole A8 and Michael Milito H8 give Dr. but in fewer words.” Rosen an inside look at SHS.
s insight on the iGeneration
of day-long visit taking their place in the classroom. “Can you imagine letting a class use their phones to research a project on Ben Franklin? With strict guidelines in place, it can be an amazing tool.” Tech tools spur creativity When asked his opinion of the new iPad program in the Primary School, he had nothing but praise. “Brilliant!” he said. “They are perfect for young learners – touch, move, shake.” But, as the students progress through Lower and
For faculty and staff... Dr. Rosen shares ideas at the morning faculty/staff meeting.
today’s children. “They are an incredibly creative generation,” he enthuses. “We have given them the tools. They write all n incredibly creative the time. They make videos. They make music. They write blogs.” He calls this We have given them the UGC, or “User Generated Content,” Dr. Larry Rosen which can be harnessed for the classroom in many ways. Harness tech outside classroom Middle School, he points out that the His suggestions include ways to equipment becomes less important. He access technology outside of the physibelieves net books, laptops, iPads, smart phones and even whiteboards are all just cal classroom, such as using WIKIs or Facebook for group projects. “Facebook vehicles for the apps. is a perfect place to parley these tools,” “It is the applications which keep he notes. evolving and innovating,” he says. What one bit of advice would he All this exposure to varied technol- give today’s teacher, faced with a mindogy has had a hugely positive impact on boggling array of technical options for the classroom, which seem to change daily? “Don’t focus on the technology itself, but on how engaging it is to Parent presentation... Dr. Rosen advises parents on dealing the students. with the iGeneration at his evening talk in the Chapel on Oct. 18.
See how it excites them and then capitalize on it.” He explains that this can be an iTouch, not an iPad, or a desktop not a laptop. He has a $69 IPEVO camera he uses to project on an old fashioned screen. “With great content, this can be as stimulating for students as a whiteboard.” If changing technology seems like a lot to deal with, you are not alone. Rosen began his career studying the stress technology evokes, especially in both students and teachers in the classroom. With four children ages 21 to 36, he has firsthand experience of several younger generations to go with his extensive research in 22 countries. This research includes studying neurological changes in the brain while subjects are multitasking. Rosen shares his findings at several schools a month across the country, and has also appeared on Good Morning America, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, CNN and Lifetime Television. He spoke to a school system in Spain last year and is slated to lecture in Mumbai, India, in February. While technology can be stressful, Rosen’s message would seem to be to embrace it…it’s here to stay. “The fastest growing group on Facebook is seniors,” he notes.
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Dressed for Spirit Week, A3 uses the netbook to research the Solar System.
A4 is using Brain Pop on the interactive whiteboard to learn about finding factors. LEFT: Annika Swanson checks her answer on the board...it’s correct! RIGHT: The girls in A4 display the “clickers” they use to log their answers.
Lower School utilizes Netbooks, smartboards and more
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rom Netbooks to projectors and Voice Thread to blogs, the Lower School teachers are creatively using the technology available with their students. Currently, there are four interactive whiteboard projectors in the 5th grade, two in 4th and two in 3rd grade. “These are used almost every minute of the day,” notes Julie Reinhardt, A4 teacher. “The students love coming up to the board even more with this added piece of technology.” Grade 5 In 5th grade, Netbooks are used on a nearly daily basis for writing, while Voice Thread assists with discussions of novels. Flip Cams and MovieMaker are used to make math movies. In addition, the 5th grade regularly uses Google Docs for writing. This allows them to write at home and at school. It is also a way for students to provide constructive feedback to their peers. Grade 4 The 4th grade uses interactive boards in both the Science Lab and in the classroom. They are used to show videos
from BrainPop and United Streaming; quizzes are also given using the “clickers” that are designed especially for the interactive boards. Some classes use Blogs for novel discussions and Publisher for brochure creation. They keep the netbooks humming doing research, writing and even playing games on the Everyday Math Online site. Grade 3 The 3rd grade uses both interactive projectors and document cameras for whole class instruction. The projectors are used for teaching lessons, watching videos and playing educational games. Each classroom also has six Netbooks. These are used for a variety of purposes, including exploring the Everyday Math Online site. The site allows the students to play the games that go with the program from anywhere they have online access. The 3rd grade also uses Max Show, the kid friendly version of Power Point, to create presentations about a significant figure from the Revolutionary War. These will assist with their spring Wax Museum presentations. Reading Buddies use iPads
(from left) LEFT: Martha Mobarak A1, Shelby Smith A4 and Morgan Benson A1
Reading Buddies go high tech
RIGHT: Anjali Katyal A4 and Mary Agnes Nash Hart A1
While using the app Storyteller on the iPad, reading buddy pairs in the 4th and 1st grades create stories using a “story wheel.” They took turns inventing a part of a story and then recording it for play back. “They had a great time doing it,” said A4 teacher Tracey Montoya. “Of course, the coolest thing about it was using the new iPads.”
FROM THE HEAD &
the Heart
Nat Wilburn, Head of Schools
This publication is emailed and posted online, saving trees and following Goal 3, Criteria 5: The school teaches respect for creation and prepares students to be stewards of the earth’s resources. Editor:
Diane Fallon
6250 N. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL www.shschicago.org
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