Fifth-grader Bryan Burnett writes the first line of a poem in Greg Darrington’s language arts class Wednesday morning. Bryan said he enjoys using the InterWrite pad because the technology is fun. (Photo by Kristen Waggener / kwaggener@miconews.com)
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Bringing Learning to Life
Louisburg teachers heighten student interest and involvement by using technology to enrich classroom lessons
By Kristen Waggener, kwaggener@miconews.com
When he first started teaching, Larry Shirk couldn’t have imagined the technology he would be using today: document cameras, interactive writing pads and overhead LCD projectors.
The Louisburg High School chemistry and physics teacher remembers using chalkboards and having students crowd around him to see a chemical reaction he was trying to demonstrate.
Now, his students can stay in their seats and watch those same reactions larger than life as big-screen projections.
“It doesn’t really change the teaching, but it makes it more usable,” Shirk said.
On Wednesday, Shirk’s students were calculating the density of water and inputting their data onto a chart using the classroom’s InterWrite pad, a tool that allows the user to write or type in data without having to be stationed at a computer screen.
His students don’t realize it, but they’re using new technology being integrated in Louisburg’s schools that help facilitate learning in the classroom.
In Greg Darrington’s fifth-grade classroom, students were using the same technology to collaboratively write a limerick.
“There once was a fly named Ty...,” the screen in the front of the room showed. Each word appeared as Bryan Burnett wrote it on Darrington’s InterWrite pad.
Darrington used his ELMO document camera to take a still picture of a worksheet, so students could use the InterWrite pad to write their own poems.
“That’s the cool thing with the kids,” Darrington said. “Anything that can get them hands-on is good.”
Only a few years ago, Louisburg teachers were using traditional overhead projectors and bulky televisions to supplement their lessons. Now, technology like the InterWrite pads, document cameras and overhead LCD projectors allow them to engage students with things they’re used to seeing.
“We’re not into the technology for the glitz; we’re into it to help students learn,” USD 416 Superintendent Rick Doll said.
Doll said about 75 percent of Louisburg’s classrooms are equipped with the newer technologies, and every classroom in the new Rockville Elementary will be equipped with document cameras, overhead LCD projectors and InterWrite pads when it opens in August.
While some teachers are hesitant to use the technology, others jump on board because they see the benefit it has for students.
“Even though (students) think they’re watching a movie, they’re studying state standards,” Darrington said.
Shirk most often uses his document camera, but he said he’s gradually easing into using the InterWrite pad as he learns how it works.
“There’s a learning curve,” he said,” but I’m hopeful to see folks doing it a little bit longer and using it effectively in their classroom.”
Darrington’s students, though they’re only in fifth grade, see the benefits of using the tools to help them learn.
“I think it’s really cool,” Kirstin Lowry said. “It makes us discuss more, and we can see what we learn.”
“My kids are so much more engaged,” Darrington said. “It’s still the old, boring stuff, but the kids are into it because of the technology.”
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The Louisburg High School chemistry and physics teacher remembers using chalkboards and having students crowd around him to see a chemical reaction he was trying to demonstrate.
Now, his students can stay in their seats and watch those same reactions larger than life as big-screen projections.
“It doesn’t really change the teaching, but it makes it more usable,” Shirk said.
On Wednesday, Shirk’s students were calculating the density of water and inputting their data onto a chart using the classroom’s InterWrite pad, a tool that allows the user to write or type in data without having to be stationed at a computer screen.
His students don’t realize it, but they’re using new technology being integrated in Louisburg’s schools that help facilitate learning in the classroom.
In Greg Darrington’s fifth-grade classroom, students were using the same technology to collaboratively write a limerick.
“There once was a fly named Ty...,” the screen in the front of the room showed. Each word appeared as Bryan Burnett wrote it on Darrington’s InterWrite pad.
Darrington used his ELMO document camera to take a still picture of a worksheet, so students could use the InterWrite pad to write their own poems.
“That’s the cool thing with the kids,” Darrington said. “Anything that can get them hands-on is good.”
Only a few years ago, Louisburg teachers were using traditional overhead projectors and bulky televisions to supplement their lessons. Now, technology like the InterWrite pads, document cameras and overhead LCD projectors allow them to engage students with things they’re used to seeing.
“We’re not into the technology for the glitz; we’re into it to help students learn,” USD 416 Superintendent Rick Doll said.
Doll said about 75 percent of Louisburg’s classrooms are equipped with the newer technologies, and every classroom in the new Rockville Elementary will be equipped with document cameras, overhead LCD projectors and InterWrite pads when it opens in August.
While some teachers are hesitant to use the technology, others jump on board because they see the benefit it has for students.
“Even though (students) think they’re watching a movie, they’re studying state standards,” Darrington said.
Shirk most often uses his document camera, but he said he’s gradually easing into using the InterWrite pad as he learns how it works.
“There’s a learning curve,” he said,” but I’m hopeful to see folks doing it a little bit longer and using it effectively in their classroom.”
Darrington’s students, though they’re only in fifth grade, see the benefits of using the tools to help them learn.
“I think it’s really cool,” Kirstin Lowry said. “It makes us discuss more, and we can see what we learn.”
“My kids are so much more engaged,” Darrington said. “It’s still the old, boring stuff, but the kids are into it because of the technology.”