How did you spend your summer vacation? More than 300 of our K-12 students devoted several weeks to filling academic gaps as a bridge to success in the new school year. At programs based at the Carlsbad Village Academy (CVA) and Magnolia Elementary, technology served as a powerful tool.
Two dozen high school students from the CVA, Carlsbad High and Carlsbad Seaside Academy participated in a distance learning program under the tutelage of Rachel Newman. The program enabled students to achieve credit recovery for a course not completed successfully, or to pursue first-time course credit in English, math and other subjects.
The students rose to the challenge of their intensive program, Newman said.
"They worked hard and did well at this user-friendly, but very rigorous regimen," she said. "Distance learning will never eliminate the need for classrooms, but the blended model works very well; in this mix, socialization and student-teacher interaction can flourish."
Student Jose Quintero said, "I like learning on the computer. I can take my time when I need to and understand what I'm doing without being in a rush."
Carly Mitchell concurred, saying, "This is a great way to improve my grades. It's easier online where you can go at your own speed."
Our world-class District serves children who speak Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, Farsi, French, Lithuanian, Spanish, Vietnamese and other languages. This summer, K-8 students who speak languages other than English at home accelerated their English Language Learning (ELL) skills at our first-ever Summer School ELL Academy.
The students' learning experiences were extensive, engaging and fun. IPads, iPod Touches, computers and whiteboards from Smart Technologies enabled the students to practice the four ELL standards, listening, speaking, reading and writing, in multiple, complementary ways that built upon their learning base.
The Academy was made possible through the District's Title III Plan for English Learners. The 70 iPads obtained through a Microsoft Settlement propelled the students forward and will help them immensely this year. As language skills progress, students become better able to succeed in all classes. Technology-based instruction not only engages students, but allows differentiation; kids learn at their own speed and ability level.
Teacher Sharon Rodak observed a big difference.
"The motivation, technical knowledge, Internet access and interactivity afforded by these high-tech tools enable kids to create their own learning," Rodak said.
"Instead of a teacher walking them through every single step, they are in control. This is powerful; it creates ownership of their education," she added.
The skills these summer school students gained will help them make adequate yearly progress on standardized tests. Equally important, they are developing a strong confidence in their overall ability to learn.
Technology is definitely changing the landscape of education … for the better, I believe. To learn about my recent experience with new modalities, please read my "That's How I See It: Getting Schooled in Technology" blog at http://carlsbadunified.blogspot.com. Feel free to follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SuptRoach and friend us at www.facebook.com/CarlsbadUnifiedSchoolDistrict.
Two dozen high school students from the CVA, Carlsbad High and Carlsbad Seaside Academy participated in a distance learning program under the tutelage of Rachel Newman. The program enabled students to achieve credit recovery for a course not completed successfully, or to pursue first-time course credit in English, math and other subjects.
The students rose to the challenge of their intensive program, Newman said.
"They worked hard and did well at this user-friendly, but very rigorous regimen," she said. "Distance learning will never eliminate the need for classrooms, but the blended model works very well; in this mix, socialization and student-teacher interaction can flourish."
Student Jose Quintero said, "I like learning on the computer. I can take my time when I need to and understand what I'm doing without being in a rush."
Carly Mitchell concurred, saying, "This is a great way to improve my grades. It's easier online where you can go at your own speed."
Our world-class District serves children who speak Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, Farsi, French, Lithuanian, Spanish, Vietnamese and other languages. This summer, K-8 students who speak languages other than English at home accelerated their English Language Learning (ELL) skills at our first-ever Summer School ELL Academy.
The students' learning experiences were extensive, engaging and fun. IPads, iPod Touches, computers and whiteboards from Smart Technologies enabled the students to practice the four ELL standards, listening, speaking, reading and writing, in multiple, complementary ways that built upon their learning base.
The Academy was made possible through the District's Title III Plan for English Learners. The 70 iPads obtained through a Microsoft Settlement propelled the students forward and will help them immensely this year. As language skills progress, students become better able to succeed in all classes. Technology-based instruction not only engages students, but allows differentiation; kids learn at their own speed and ability level.
Teacher Sharon Rodak observed a big difference.
"The motivation, technical knowledge, Internet access and interactivity afforded by these high-tech tools enable kids to create their own learning," Rodak said.
"Instead of a teacher walking them through every single step, they are in control. This is powerful; it creates ownership of their education," she added.
The skills these summer school students gained will help them make adequate yearly progress on standardized tests. Equally important, they are developing a strong confidence in their overall ability to learn.
Technology is definitely changing the landscape of education … for the better, I believe. To learn about my recent experience with new modalities, please read my "That's How I See It: Getting Schooled in Technology" blog at http://carlsbadunified.blogspot.com. Feel free to follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SuptRoach and friend us at www.facebook.com/CarlsbadUnifiedSchoolDistrict.