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Teachers in the City of Fairfax schools are using technology to improve learning and connect students with 21st century skills - communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. Across grade levels, teachers and administrators use iPads, netbooks and students' own personal devices along with smart boards and software programs to enhance the curriculum.
Eric Draper, a third year teacher at Lanier Middle School, uses technology to help kids collaborate and think critically to solve problems. In January, Draper assigned his 8th grade English students to read an article from the Washington Post on school lunches in Japan. The students worked in groups to compare and contrast with their own school lunches and created charts showing similarities and differences. What may seem like a typical assignment to the students might be surprising to outsiders - the class is essentially paperless.
Each student in Mr. Draper's class is provided with a netbook - a small, lightweight laptop - for use in class every day. This assignment is given through FCPS Google Documents™, a free application that allows sharing and real-time collaboration between students. Mr. Draper is able to join students' documents to give timely feedback and monitor progress, and students discuss their opinions about the article on an electronic discussion board.
"What I found using netbooks is that I am able to provide an enhanced learning experience with a broader choice of online texts and interactive tools for discussion and creativity." said Draper. "Familiarity also helps students with standardized tests and college courses which are increasingly delivered online."
At Providence Elementary school, iPads are used in a variety of lessons across the curriculum. Students in Chinese use iPads to create and submit independent work using the Chinese keyboard. Kindergartners use the iPads for math and language arts to supplement their curriculum and expand learning.
In both city elementary schools, special education students are using Draft:Builder, a software program that breaks down the writing process to organize and edit work easily. Under the guidance of teachers Kristine Parker (PES) and Kathy Tribbie (DRE), students use the program to outline thoughts and research under a 'big idea'. "For many of our students, their brains are moving so fast, Draft:Builder helps give direction, catch mistakes and most importantly, move them in the direction of becoming more independent workers," says Parker.
Tribbie agrees. "Draft:Builder helps to break large topics into smaller steps and teach the mechanics of writing. We've seen great progress in many of our students' work."
Fairfax High School social studies teacher Elizabeth McDowell uses a mix of traditional classroom teaching and lesson enhancement using a SMART Response™ system. Looking similar to a calculator, students are able to take assessments on the remotes and get immediate feedback. According to McDowell, "the comprehensive data that is pulled makes it a useful tool both for formative and summative assessments." For example, after tests, McDowell reviews all the questions and graphs out all answers so she is not only able to see how many students answered correctly, but also how many chose various options and then is able to ascertain how the students interpreted the question.
"Technology is not just a novelty in the City of Fairfax schools. It is an important tool for learning," says Dr. Peter Noonan, Superintendent of the City of Fairfax. "Our teachers are integrating technology seamlessly into everyday lessons helping kids think critically, collaborate and become innovators. We are excited to see what is ahead."
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