School Spotlight
Kindergarten teacher Star Horner works with I.T.S. to use Adobe Express, a powerful yet easy-to-use tool that allows users to create stunning videos, graphics, and presentations.
A Collaborative Project Between Teachers and I.T.S.
Imagine a classroom full of excited five-year-olds, each armed with a tablet and a newfound passion for meteorology. This isn't a scene from a futuristic classroom; it's a reality thanks to a collaborative project between a TSD kindergarten teacher and the Innovative Technology Services (I.T.S.) department.
The Challenge: Making Learning Fun and Engaging
Kindergarten teacher Star Horner was looking for innovative ways to make learning about weather more engaging for her young students. She wanted to create a project that would allow students to express their understanding creatively and share their learning with others.
The Solution: Adobe Express
With the support of the I.T.S. department, Star Horner discovered Adobe Express, a powerful yet easy-to-use tool that allows users to create stunning videos, graphics, and presentations. One of I.T.S.’s Technology Implementation Specialists came into her class to introduce Adobe Express to her students and get them started using this powerful tool.
The Project: Weather Vlogs
The project involved students taking pictures of the weather outside their classroom. Students were given a template using Adobe Express’s new Classroom tool, to which they added their own photographs and voiced predictions about the weather they observed.
The Benefits
This collaborative project had several benefits:
- Enhanced Learning: By creating videos, students had to think critically about what they learned and express their understanding in a clear and concise way.
- Increased Engagement: The use of technology made learning fun and interactive, keeping students engaged and motivated.
- Collaboration: The project fostered collaboration between the teacher, students, and the I.T.S. department, demonstrating the power of teamwork.
- Real-World Skills: Students developed valuable skills such as using technology, communicating effectively, and working creatively.
The Impact
The weather vlog project was a resounding success. Students were proud of their creations and excited to share them with their classmates and families.
"I love using technology in a classroom. I think it is a way that students can share their thinking, be creators, and learn in a fun way. This was my first experience with Adobe Express. Upon first glance I could see the potential…This was my class's first exposure to this topic. We started this lesson with using our senses to explore what we saw in the sky. Students then got their iPads and took pictures of the sky. They marked their favorite picture to be used later…They were excited to share their thinking and use their voice with the pictures. We then worked in a small group to have kids record one or two at a time while other kids did a different activity. All students were able to access this lesson.”
–Star Horner
This collaboration demonstrates the potential of technology to enhance learning and empower students. By providing teachers with the tools and support they need, we can create innovative and engaging learning experiences that inspire young minds.
On September 18, Sheena Kelly, Digital Media Literacies Coordinator, attended the Student Belonging Conference "Corriendo hacia el futuro/Running Toward the Future" hosted by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Learning Services departments. This unique event provided high school students an opportunity to enhance their sense of belonging by providing a safe space for workshops on expression and empowerment, college access, and academic identity.
On September 18, Sheena Kelly, Digital Media Literacies Coordinator, attended the Student Belonging Conference "Corriendo hacia el futuro/Running Toward the Future" hosted by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Learning Services departments. This unique event provided high school students an opportunity to enhance their sense of belonging by providing a safe space for workshops on expression and empowerment, college access, and academic identity. Sheena shared resources about digital resources available in the district and gave students books with themes on social identity and navigating their digital worlds.
Students learned about Sora, the digital reading app that empowers readers to discover library resources on the go. Students and staff can access the Sora digital catalog through ClassLink on their computer or mobile device. Check out books, audiobooks, read-alongs, magazines, comics, and unlimited simultaneous use collections for non-stop reading fun.
Calvin McConnell, Kindergarten Teacher at Cottonwood Plains shared some classroom jobs he has created for his students to use technology in his classroom.
I.T.S. has created collaborative professional learning opportunities with our Digital Learning Cohort this year. We would like to highlight Calvin McConnell, a Kindergarten teacher at Cottonwood Plains Elementary. Calvin has empowered his elementary students. Read his story!
Looking for a way to empower your students?
Meet Calvin McConnell, Kindergarten Teacher at Cottonwood Plains Elementary. Calvin shared with K teachers in TSD some classroom jobs he has created for his students to use technology in his classroom.
Encourage Ownership
Students take ownership of their class by controlling a teacher-created slide show. These students have practiced daily routines and take turns controlling videos, timers, slides, and other educational tools.
Students apply their presentation skills by reciting transition expectations from their classroom slide deck. Students even use this opportunity to access offline structures like a whiteboard schedule.
Curate tools for Easy Access
Teachers could also use Classroom Screen to provide a desktop of various classroom management tools. You could keep your classroom transition songs, a timer, a stoplight for noise, or even check boxes.
Nearpod contributes to the culture and climate of our classroom by providing integrated opportunities for student voice and choice. Student work is authentic to their thought process and understanding of the concept. Nearpod makes formative assessment easy, and intuitive, allowing me to target my interventions in a timely and efficient manner.
By using Nearpod in math, the following standards are addressed while increasing student engagement. 1.1: Eliminate disparities in student achievement, growth, graduation, behavioral outcomes, and educational opportunities in student groups 2.1: Ensure learning environments support a positive culture and climate.
"Nearpod has allowed us to structure our math lessons and introduce 21st century readiness to an antiquated but quality curriculum line." By Andrew Shumate, top Nearpod TSD user at the elementary level, 4th grade teacher at Centennial