JMS Parents attend iPad Training and Internet Safety Night

Parents of students at Jemtegaard Middle School attended an evening of learning about the iPads and ways to help students be safe online on April 23.  JMS teachers Kelli Dizmang, Cherise Marshall, and Rebecca Bohlin worked with students who served as "experts" to develop the lessons taught to their peers' parents.  Approximately 40 to 50 parents attended with at least that many students.

“Parents went with their students to a series of stations where they learned about the apps that students use in class, projects that are done on the iPads, how to access WESPaC from a mobile device, and more,” said Les Brown, WSD Director of Technology.  “Each station was run by a JMS student, who created their mini-lesson on an iPad to share with parents and other students.  The parents who attended shared that they were amazed at how much the students have learned, and the variety of skills they have with the iPads.”

Parents also attended a session on Internet Safety and building student's skills to make wise choices and be safe online.  The session focused on practical steps parents can take to help keep kids safe while online.  “We discussed parents’ concerns about online safety, helping make sure they have an awareness of monitoring student activities online, as well as tools and strategies to help them make sure their kids are learning to be good digital citizens while staying safe online,” Brown said.

“Many of the parents who attended the Internet safety presentation were taking notes, sharing their own safety tips, and asking more questions about how we can work together to keep kids safe online,” said Dizmang.  “The response was very positive.  Many parents were also surprised to discover how much their middle schoolers know about using technology for learning, and were amazed at what the kids do and create every day.  Our students did an excellent job sharing their skills with parents!”

The act of students presenting the lessons was a sign of the success for the tech parent night in the eyes of Bohlin.  “It demonstrated to parents how students are benefiting and learning from the technology they have the chance to use in school,” she said.

According to Bohlin, student are already asking about having the event next year.  “The way that students stepped up to create quality presentations was outstanding! I was so impressed with what students put together to show parents, including QR code activities, wi-fi troubleshooting situations, thoughtful questions, and hands-on demonstrations.”

Hathaway Students Embrace Technology as they Learn and Teach

No two snowflakes are exactly the same.  Neither is the way Hathaway Elementary 4th and 5th graders in Erin Hayes’ class used iPad technology to teach younger students how to make paper snowflakes.

“Teaching students how to effectively communicate directions is one of the Washington State Learning Requirements,” explained Hayes.  “First, our kids decided they wanted to teach Alexis McKee’s 2nd and 3rd grade class next door how to make three-dimensional snowflakes.  Then they decided to use the classroom iPads as an instructional tool.”

Each student created their own unique presentation. Some illustrated their step descriptions with videos and others with photos.  When it was all done they took the materials to make the snowflakes and their iPad and worked one-on-one with younger students to teach them the process.

“Making the snowflakes was tricky at first, but Jocelyn was a really good listener,” said fifth grader Kayla Grimani.  “I think it was better for her to see my directions with the iPad because there were pictures, videos and transitions with all the steps.”

Second grader Aundre Pitts enjoyed the learning experience. “The iPads were really cool because the steps were right there and there was a touch screen. When I’m in fifth grade, I hope I get an iPad!”

The iPads in the classroom are a part of a Washougal School District pilot program to test their enhancement to learning and the feasibility of a longer term initiative to provide iPads to a larger group of students.  Currently one fifth grade class in each elementary school is using them for research, to reinforce learning, engage in peer editing, and create presentations.  The iPad also takes the place of the traditional paper textbook.

“It is pretty amazing what our kids can do when you set technology right in front of them,” commented Hayes.

Fifth grade classrooms pilot iPad project

This fall, Washougal fifth graders began piloting an exciting project using iPads in their classrooms. Three classrooms (one at each elementary school) plus a group of special education students are taking part in this technology integration experiment into subjects including Science, Social Science and Language Arts.

In preparation for an all-new teaching and learning model, teachers Chelsea Meats, Erin Hayes, Erin Maier and Stephanie Closson received an intensive “boot camp” training over the summer and will continue to receive training and support throughout the year.

Classroom use varies by class and subject, depending on what students are studying at a given time. Teachers work with students to use iPad features, such as text-to-speech and built in word definitions and dictionaries that help students answer questions immediately. These tools have been particularly helpful for struggling learners and also help bridge the achievement gap between student groups. When asked the question, "How has the iPad changed the way you learn?" one student responded "We can do class activities together where we're all on the same website instead of just using one computer or having to share a few computers."

In Erin Maier’s class at Gause Elementary, students used the iPads to film themselves presenting to their peers. The students could then immediately review their work and answer questions such as “Did I speak clearly?” “That was huge in terms of helping them explain their thinking,” said Maier. “Hearing themselves speak helps with clarity of thought.”

Technology Director Les Brown says the project opens doors to new resources. “Technology can engage students in meaningful learning experiences where they research topics they are interested in, receive and give peer feedback, and carry their work through to completion or publication.”

Parents were included in the roll out process, with meetings were held at each school to define expectations and explain what the district hopes to gain through the project.

Curriculum Director David Tudor hopes the pilot will significantly impact student learning based on the experiences of other districts. “We anticipate seeing increases in student achievement particularly in Reading and Math, and especially among struggling students,” he said. “We’re hoping to see gains for special education students and students below grade level in reading.  We anticipate seeing lower attendance problems, fewer discipline referrals, and increased time on task.” 

Maier says the devices have increase motivation and engagement in her classroom. “When we use the iPads, I automatically have 100 percent participation. This is their world and they are quick learners.”

District staff will measure the project’s success by comparing test score data between iPad and non-iPad classrooms to gauge the impact on student academic achievement.  Staff will also consider data on student attendance, discipline, and surveys on student/family perceptions about technology.

Washougal Teachers Learn to Use Google Sites to Create Webpages

Two groups of Washougal educators attended optional, district-sponsored classes on creating web pages using Google Sites on September 22 and 28, 2011. These hands-on classes were co-facilitated by Washougal High School Teachers James Bennett and Rochelle Aiton, with assistance from Director of Technology Les Brown.

Participating teachers were led through the process of creating an account, customizing a main page in Google sites, adding feeds from subpages, integrating a Google Calendar, linking to external sites, and adding attachments via the File Cabinet feature or Google Docs.

Hathaway Teacher Lisa Kaaihue said, " I really appreciated all of the choices and variety of features the Google Sites class offered for developing Web pages. I have used other sites to create web pages and felt this site offered the most diversity of features."

For more information about these classes or other staff development initiatives, please visit the Staff Development page of the Washougal School District Website.�

Pictured are Gause Teachers Allison Such and Wendy Morrill.

Washougal Teachers Learn to Use Research Databases with Students

A group of Washougal educators attended an optional, district-sponsored class on integrating research databases available from the Fort Vancouver Regional Library (FVRL) into their curriculum on Tuesday, September 20. The project-based, hands-on class was taught by Washougal High School Teacher-Librarian Kim Dillon and Director of Technology Les Brown. Washougal Community Library’s new Community Librarian, Chris Hughey, was introduced at the class and helped provide information about the databases covered as well as other services offered through the public library, including school and classroom visits.

Participating teachers were led through the process of brainstorming a topic, defining search terms, expanding or narrowing a research idea, and then searching and recording results from the following electronic resources: Britannica Online, Britannica Online for Kids, World Book for Kids, CultureGrams, Thinkfinity, and General One File. Access to FVRL’s research databases is free with a public library card. Finally, teachers learned evaluation strategies to help students become critical consumers of information. Feedback received was very positive, and staff members who participated were enthusiastic about the opportunity to share these high quality research databases with students. Cape Horn-Skye Teacher Jocelyn Aldridge said, "My wheels are already turning with ideas for my 2nd graders to use as we begin to learn how to write mini-reports this year. Who knew that all of this information was available, and that it is so easy to access?"

For more information about this class or other staff development initiatives, please visit the Staff Development page of the Washougal School District Website.

Les Brown discusses research strategies with Canyon Creek Middle School Teacher Kay Ball, and Washougal High School Teacher Sheila Good during a class held in the WHS Library. Brown, WSD Director of Technology, recently assumed primary responsibilities for presenting Technology Staff Development programs in the District. He is always interested in hearing from staff members willing to help present professional development topics and can be reached at 360-954-3310.

Photo credit: Kim Dillon.