Walk into any Sulphur Springs classroom today and you are witnessing student learning in a 21st century school district. In Mrs. Marcus’s kindergarten class, at Fair Oaks Ranch Community School, kindergartners are creating their own blogs on iPads and then sharing them with their fellow classmates.
Mrs. Marcus explains, “This allows parents of students in the class to see the work their child is creating in class as well as gives students the opportunity to truly learn in a 21st century way. It’s amazing to see my young students thrive with the technology we are able to provide them.”
In Ms. Ayer’s third grade classroom, at Leona Cox Community School, students partake in a digital scavenger hunt where they utilize QR codes placed around the classroom to solve math and language arts questions posed. They then scan the codes with iPads and solve the questions digitally. Ms. Ayer’s states, “I love using technology in my classroom. It allows my students to collaborate, showcase what they know, and take their learning to the next level. This generation of kids are naturally techie savvy, so it feels good to be on board. Technology certainly creates a buzz of excitement and promotes creativity amongst my students.”
In Mrs. Hubbard’s sixth grade classroom, at Pinetree Community School, students work in small groups with iPads to create a presentation of learning that they will share digitally with the entire class on their SMART Boards. Mrs. Hubbard states, “My students are really motivated to use the technology we have in our classroom. I really feel that it enhances their learning to demonstrate their knowledge using technology. When they are working in small groups on the iPads, they are also motivated to work cooperatively because they know that they have to remain efficient with their time in order to finish and share their project. They have to problem solve and work cooperatively, which is great for their social skills as well as their overall understanding of the topic.”
These are just a few examples of the exciting 21st Century learning opportunities being created by combining the latest technology with creative students and dedicated teachers of the Sulphur Springs School District.