Technology at Dwight!

One of the unique things about Dwight is how much Technology they try to incorporate during unit and other subjects. Dwight is very fortunate in the fact that they can afford many different types of technology to assist their students in a variety of tasks. Many classrooms have a set of lap tops in their classroom to use whenever they want. My fourth graders use them for practicing typing, blogging about their books they are reading, researching for unit and other subjects as well. Dwight also has a couple sets or maybe just 1 set of Ipads for students to use.  They also have doc cameras, little cameras that can hook up to the computer to be used for video taping, and so many other things.
It is clear to me that Technology is something that is very important in this school, and they try to integrate it in any way that they can.
Students also go to technology class to have even more exposure using various technological devices. And to do activities on the computer. Last week my students made graphic organizers in technology to help them better understand the 3 branches of government. They also did a webquest about democracy. All of these are such great ways to get students more engaged with technology!
 Along with that, my fourth graders and fifth graders as well have someone come in once or twice a week from the technology department (her name is Daniella, she is wonderful! ) and work with the students.  At this time, I am not sure if 1st-3rd grades have this as well.
Currently, my fourth grade class is studying Government as their unit of inquiry. A part of of their unit is to make a brochure for a government that they are designing, and a part of their brochure is to design a sign or symbol for their government. Instead of just drawing the sign or symbol on a piece of paper and coloring it in using markers, or colored pencils the students have the opportunity to use ipads and an application called Brushes to help them draw their symbols.
On Monday, Daniella came in during Unit time and assisted the students in learning how to use Brushes so that they would know when they are working in technology to design their symbol for their brochures. I think that this is a really innovative way for the students to design their symbols. The students were so excited to use the Ipads, and they loved experimenting with this application. I'm sure they are going to do a great job with designing their symbols and I can't wait to see them!

Here are some pictures of them working in class on Monday with the Ipads:

 they played a game called 5 lines. This a game where someone draws 5 lines. Then their partner tries to connect those lines in order to make something. Some of their pictures were very creative!

I also was very impressed by how well the students shared the ipads with their partners in the beginnng of the lesson, and then later they were given their own to explore and play with.
I think Technology is something that is going to continue changing and evolving as our world progresses, and I think it is great that these students have the opportunity to learn and use these technologies in the classroom.

Tomorrow we are heading to the Tree Lighting at Rockerfeller Center! We are pretty pumped for this! Make sure to check back for pictures!

Adios!

-Sarah