By: Melissa De Los Santos
Starting in the first grade, Arborland students have the privilege of using technology in the classroom. It is mainly used in two ways: as a medium to acquire knowledge responsibly, and to share the knowledge in creative and interesting ways.
Learning on the Internet
There are a lot of sources of information on the Internet, and it is essential that children know how to differentiate which ones are reliable and which ones are not. Elementary students are taught how some sources are more trustworthy than others, which develops their evaluation skills that will help them throughout their lives.
Educational videos, from websites like TedEd and BrainPop, are also used in the classroom to help make challenging concepts easier to understand. There are a lot of online tools that can be very effective for learning, and students are guided toward the more beneficial ones.
Aside from being able to get reliable information from the Internet, upper elementary children are also expected to be responsible online. They are taught how to interact meaningfully and safely via email. They are also taught to give credit to their sources, which they use for research projects and the like.
Sharing knowledge using technology
One of the first things students learn on their devices is the proper typing technique. Arborland students use the TypingClub program to hone their typing skills.
Upper elementary students are also taught how to use word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation programs. They often use these tools to share information in the classroom. They have used them for book reports, research papers, science projects, and many others.
Aside from the basic programs, upper elementary students are also taught how to make and edit videos, produce digital drawings, edit music, and other fun technological skills to enhance their creativity.