Welcome to the 21st Century Kindergarten

As we embark on a new school year at Oak Hill Elementary School, I thought it might be helpful to create a space where I can share ideas, links and examples to use during my time with students. Please feel free to share any comments or suggestions you may have along the way. This summer I am beginning a Masters of Teaching at High Point University. I am very excited to be returning to school (it has just been so long!). I am going to be proving that you can always learn a few new tricks! My first class is Advanced Technology for the 21st Century (EDU 5010), which is kind of ironic, don't you agree? When I finished undergrad, we didn't use the internet yet.

Technology is quickly becoming a foundation block in education from the kindergarten level on up. Nowhere is this more obvious than at Oak Hill Elementary. We have begun the task of restructuring to the new common core standards. Besides taking root in education, it is becoming increasingly obvious that technology is going to change todays classroom. "...[T]he State Board has approved new leadership standards for school administrators and new teacher standards, each aligned to better deliver the 21st Century skills students need to be competitive in the global economy."

In order to remain relevant in teaching, we are going to need to embrace modern technology and infuse it into our daily classroom. We, as teachers, are challenged with creating classrooms in which our walls are not barriers, but windows to the world. Students must learn about the global world today. We are challenged with creating classrooms that are always asking higher order questions and implementing higher level thinking within the classroom.

There are many ways we can use technology in our Kindergarten classrooms, including the use of iPads, computers and interactive smart boards. Through the use of these devices, we can work toward obtaining the 21st Century school model.
During the course of this past school year, Oak Hill Elementary has integrated iPads into the classrooms. Each teacher can sign up for the iPads on a rotating basis.  As a tutor, I saw students using iPads and was very impressed at their abilities to manipulate such new technology.  "The K-12 generation is adept at using this technology, having grown up in a world steeped in digital media, so learning comes naturally in the context of interactive application and online social networking forums."

Another point that I found upon observation of the classroom using iPads was the intensity of the learning and the level of engagement that each child brought to this experience.  Most students were engaged and tried very hard to apply themselves to learning on the iPad.

iPads are an interestingly impressive piece of equipment.  We were issued one with my graduate class and I have been playing around with it. I have had an iPhone since they came out way back when, so I figured it was really just a big iPhone. I had no real need for it. I have a computer and my iPhone -- I felt that was enough. I am afraid that my next infusion of extra cash will find me at the shiny Apple Store buying my own "can't live without it iPad!" I am very impressed with its versatility and the multitude of applications that are out there to enhance this device.

In Kindergarten, I can see many, many ways we can use the iPad.  As a tutor, I work primarily in very small groups or, ideally, one-on-one with students.  The iPad would be an added benefit, providing an experience beyond flash cards and manipulatives in which I can engage the students through the various skills they need to master.

As an example, for handwriting and learning to write their names, I could use the app Ready to Print, (cost, $10.49) and for ABC recognition, I could use Alphabet Deluxe (cost, $0.99),  both readily available from the app store.  Students use this app to toggle through the alphabet to see pictures and words that start with the letter chosen.  It is a fun activity which is great for beginners learning their alphabet.

We could also use the iPad to locate educational songs and sing-alongs that have shown success in learning numbers, skip counting and letters such as Dr. Jean and Friends songs or other various videos such as the ABC video with Tutitu (pictured above).

On a more administrative note, I am excited to have found this fabulous app called Three Ring which I would like to use as my documentation for this school year. I keep a notebook currently for each class, making anecdotal notes on each student and the achievements we make during our sessions.  With this app I can store pictures of students' work, as well as video of their accomplishments. For example, when they sucessfully count to 30, or other milestones that occur throughout the year, I can take one device around all day from class to class and have at my fingertips all my information and notes, as well as a handy tool to aid in our studies.

So, the days of nap time and kitchen center may be gone. However, we welcome the days of iPads and apps and tweets. I am excited about all the new technology and the various ways in which we can begin to teach and learn with it in our classrooms!

References

State Standards for the 21st Century. DATE PUBLISHED.
http://route21.p21.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=123&Itemid=199
Accessed 7 July 2012.

[Image of peacock]. n.d. Retrieved from http://www.livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=402350

[Photograph of classroom using smartboard]. n.d. Retrieved http://elcwhales.squarespace.com/blog/tag/technology?currentPage=2

Kaufman, Clare. "Top 10 e-learning Trends in Kindergarten to Grade 12." Online Schools. 20 May 2011. http://www.onlineschools.com/in-focus/10-elearning-trends Accessed 7 July 2012.

[Photograph of young girl with iPad] n.d. Retrieved www.gettyimages.com 

[Image from Alphabet Deluxe] n.d. Retrieved http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/alphabet-game-deluxe/id528102498?mt=8

[Video of the ABC song from Tutitu] n.d. Retrieved http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtGxzlwRgeM

[Video of kindergateners using iPads] n.d. Retrieved http://www.kindergartenipads.blogspot.com/