Technology
We have a state of the art technology center located in the center of our academic campus within our library. The center has Mac computers, smartboards and iPads.
Elementary
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Every classroom is equipped with a Smart Board for teacher instruction. The Smart Board allows for interactive lessons that really engage students in their learning.
All classrooms are also stocked with laptops and iPads for each student. This allows students the ability to be mobile in the room and school with their learning.
Teachers in the school have been experimenting with a new type of technology called 'bug-in-ear'. This means that when co-teachers are working in a classroom the teachers have an ear piece in so that they can easily communicate with each other. We have been seeing very promising results.
All classrooms are also stocked with laptops and iPads for each student. This allows students the ability to be mobile in the room and school with their learning.
Teachers in the school have been experimenting with a new type of technology called 'bug-in-ear'. This means that when co-teachers are working in a classroom the teachers have an ear piece in so that they can easily communicate with each other. We have been seeing very promising results.
Middle
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Middle school classrooms contain all the educational technology that elementary classrooms do. The difference is in the way the the technology is used. In addition to using iPads for reading, middle schoolers also use them for interactive assignments such as practicing LOTE skills and keeping notes in-text while reading informational texts. The students use the classroom laptops to research topics, write essays, and participate in the creation of wikis and blogs.
High
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In addition to aforementioned technologies, high school math classes provide students with a TI-nspire and software that provides the ability to connect to the teacher's laptop, enabling the teacher to monitor progress, provide notes, and administer tests or quizzes. High school math classes also put the laptops and computer lab to use when using the Geometer's Sketchpad program, which has proven itself to be a huge help to students who are visual learners.
Assistive technology
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Assistive technology is also incorporated into our school. We have advanced editing software. This allows students to listen to their writing in order to hear mistakes and edit them.
We also have graphic organizer software that often motivates our students and assists in planning out their writing assignments. This software helps the students categorize their ideas and improves the structure of their writing.
We also have graphic organizer software that often motivates our students and assists in planning out their writing assignments. This software helps the students categorize their ideas and improves the structure of their writing.
Bug In ear device
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When co-teachers are doing the one lead, one assist model the lead teacher can wear the bug in ear device. The assisting teacher has a microphone so that they can communicate with the lead teacher without disturbing the lesson. Usually it is the special education teacher with the microphone so that they can provide modifications or ideas to the general education teacher without disrupting the flow of the class.
ipad
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We have iPads available in all of our classrooms. We specifically use them for reading. Reading on an iPad has been shown to increase comprehension and it also helps with sensory issues that a lot of our students face.
Mac computers/laptops
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In our technology center we have Mac computers, but in all classrooms we also have laptop areas. These areas allow for the laptops to have a spot to charge, but also allow the students to move around the room and work on their computers.
smartboard
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Every classroom is equipped with a smartboard. These interactive boards allow students to become part of the lesson and gain a lot of hands-on experience. Teachers are also able to have powerpoints, movie clips and interactive games right on the board.
Smart table
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Smart tables are another new feature we are adding to our schools. Right now we have the smart tables in our early childhood classrooms (pre-k to 2nd). The tables, similar to a smartboard, allow hands on, interactive learning for the students.
References
Scheeler, M., Congdon, M., & Stansbery, S. (2010). Providing immediate feedback to co-teachers through bug in- ear technology: An effective method of peer coaching in inclusion classrooms. Teacher education and special education, 33(1), 83-96.
Stanberry, K. & Raskind, M. (2012). Assistive technology tools: Writing. GreatSchools Inc. Retreived from http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/960-writing-tools.gs
Price, A. (2011). Making a difference with smart tablets are ipads really beneficial for students with autism?. Teacher librarian , 39(1), 31-34.
Stanberry, K. & Raskind, M. (2012). Assistive technology tools: Writing. GreatSchools Inc. Retreived from http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/960-writing-tools.gs
Price, A. (2011). Making a difference with smart tablets are ipads really beneficial for students with autism?. Teacher librarian , 39(1), 31-34.