Kindergarten students in Melissa Gibson’s kindergarten class learned how to take pictures and use art tools on iPads during their Media class Thursday morning.
The half-hour class is part of a pilot program Middletown Early Childhood Center is using this year to see what whole-class technology education looks like. Kindergarten students meet with Librarian Ann Ohms and PE teacher Kris Kennedy two times a month for media instruction.
Through a Donors Choose Grant, parent donations and district funds, Middletown purchased 22 iPads for the Media Class. Each kindergarten teacher also has at least one iPad for classroom use.
Middletown staff identified four age-appropriate NETS_S standards to teach kindergarten students during the 2013-2014 school year. Students practice positive digital citizenship to demonstrate an understanding of technology, concepts, systems and operations. They also use digital media to communicate and work collaboratively, and demonstrate creative thinking to develop new products using technology.
“We try to teach them big concepts that they can transfer across different forms of media,” Ohms said.
Each session begins with students waiting patiently for instruction. Students receive step-by-step instruction on how to start up their device, find their program and use it appropriately. Students are also responsible for closing out the apps, turning off the device and putting it away appropriately.
“It’s very touch friendly,” she continued. “Some of (the students) have knowledge when they come in, and some come in with no knowledge. They are very excited to learn. Some of them struggle in the classroom, but they come in and use the iPad, and they are just a whiz. That tactical, kinesthetic experience is another learning mode.”
Over time, Middletown staff hopes the use of iPads builds into classroom learning centers or project-based learning. A few kindergarten teachers will pilot classroom iPad centers before the school year ends.
Teachers are becoming familiar with the devices alongside the students through professional development this fall and hands-on learning.
