Really? Having playful, academic exchanges with our kids while using technology feels like an oxymoron. As a mom, I’m constantly asked by other parents how to limit screen time for our children without arguments. And while I’m a strong supporter of this, I want to take a moment to showcase some tender moments between families that happened in front of a Chromebook at Middle School Open House earlier this spring.
Across the district, teachers had students showing off their work through Google Classroom. At Willard, English teachers Elisa Mueller and Susan Rafert along with Humanities Teachers Denise Milner and Mary Wrenn all had students showing off their writing using online tools.
**Photo Credit: Jessica Lee, Willard Librarian**
At King, 8th grade Math Teacher Lara Collins used an online graphing tool, Desmos, to allow families to compete against one another using Marbleslides, an interactive series of challenges exploring one’s depth of understanding of linear equations.
**Photo Credit: Lara Collins, King Math Teacher**
Here’s a taste of the fun Ms. Collins’ families had:
Up the street, at Longfellow, 8th grade math teachers Juliana Jones and Marlo Warburton hosted their annual girls vs. boys algebra tournament which is always a hotly contested, marquee event. Using Google Slides they run a bell-to-bell Trivia Night.
Willard Math/Science Teacher Robert MacCarthy used his time with families to showcase student-made videos such as this paramecium poem
While few things will ever top the feeling of snuggling up with a book with your children, it’s exciting to see the varied and innovative ways that middle school teachers are integrating technology not only for students’ learning, but also as a tool for students to share their excitement about what they’re learning with their families.
Elementary School Open House is just around the corner, Thursday, May 18, and I suspect we’ll see more intimate moments between families and Chromebooks. I can’t wait.
-Allison Krasnow, Instructional Technology Coordinator