ST1.4

Students use technology resources to conduct research, demonstrate creative and critical thinking, and communicate and work collaboratively.

Our goal in implementing technology at University Place is never a matter of what is the trendiest or most eye-catching gadget of the moment; instead, our goal is all about what is best for our students. This requires a culture that teaches our students how to be responsible, contributive digital citizens. In order to support our students in this endeavor, our school strives for digital equity, with sixty chromebooks and thirty tablets to be shared and used amongst our classrooms. The Tuscaloosa City School District is currently undergoing a 1:1 implementation with devices being provided for each one of our students. Presently, 1:1 has been achieved for all of TCS’s middle schools and high schools, and 1:1 chromebooks are expected to be rolled out to our fifth and fourth graders for the 2018-2019 school year.

Our students are taught a plethora of digital research tools, including our Alabama Virtual Library which provides students with databases, journals, and articles for their research and personal inquiries. All of our students also have their own accounts on MyON, a digital book library, containing thousands of enhanced and age-appropriate titles for PreK-12. Students can access any of the resources 24/7, whether for research or their own pleasure reading.

Another key component of our digital culture is our students’ ability to communicate and work collaboratively. All of our students have their own google account through our school system. We encourage this kind of collaboration with projects on Google apps for Education and in google classrooms. Students are able to work together and communicate, whether in the classroom or at home. We further communicate with our students and families through our digital presence with our school social media pages and school website.

Lastly, students explore their own ideas and interests through technology in a variety of ways. From creating Powtoons, Lego movies, and digital stories, our students receive ample opportunities to explore their learning and creativity. This kind of personalized learning is also essential in meeting students where they are. For example, each of our classrooms, from Kindergarten to Fifth grade, participate in learning to code through yearlong courses on Code.org. Because of its digital aspect, our students have the ability to pause and extend certain learning components, or to move on and access more challenging material.

University Place Elementary: Robotics

University Place Elementary has a school-wide focus on teaching computer science and robotics to ALL students. Every grade level at UPES has access to a variety of robots (Cubetto, Dash, Lego WeDo, and Lego NXT and EV3) that are frequently utilized in the classroom. Teachers have integrated the robotics into both their math and reading instruction. Students have used robots to retell the plot of a story, create maps, create shapes, and solve measurement problems.

Each year a team of UPES students participates in the University of Alabama Robotics Competition. These fourth and fifth grade students use the Lego Mindstorms NXT and EV3 robots to build and code. This program enables students to discover science, technology, engineering, and math in a fun, engaging, hands on way. The students on our robotics team are able to design, build, program, and test robots. They develop creativity and problem solving skills along with math and science knowledge. As a result, the students become more skilled in communication, organization, and research, which helps prepare them for future success in higher levels of schooling and the work place.

video-1523984626.mp4

STEM in the Library

The library at University Place Elementary School is anything but typical and ordinary. The weekly library time for UPES students is jam-packed with STEM projects. This scheduled time provides a place that allows for collaboration with the classroom teachers and the opportunity for students to explore their own interests with Maker's Space projects. The media specialist at UPES is always incorporating technology into her weekly lessons. She has had students create Lego movies, designs for the 3D printer, Minecraft storyboards, Chatterpix, Flipgrids, Paper Slide videos and so much more. The fourth and fifth grade classes interviewed the author of the Elementia Chronicals, Sean Fay Wolfe, using Skype. Students have also had the opportunity to recreate a fairy tale using the StoryVisualizer App. The library at UPES is truly a collaborative STEM workplace.

Earthquake chatterpix.mov

Technology in the Classroom

In a tech savvy world, it is imperative that we equip our students will the necessary tools that will foster success in the future. Integrating technology promotes student engagement and connects to various learning styles. The 5^th graders have used technological resources this school year not only for projects but also to enhance learning and encourage collaboration. The following list includes technology resources that have been utilized to build digital citizenship skills that allows the students to learn at their own pace as they prepare for a bright future within the walls of the classroom and careers.

Google Chrome: The students use google to research topics, to aid with spelling of unfamiliar words, as a quick reference.

Google Classroom: The students use this resource to access assignments and turn in after completion. These assignments include critical thinking and evaluations, summaries, reflections, and open ended response questions. Discussion boards allow the students to work collaboratively, share thoughts, provide feedback, and provide constructive criticism about an assignment.

Google Docs: This tool is used to complete writing assignments which are usually embedded into google classroom. They have also completed double bubble thinking maps and math assignments. The students have also learned how to work on a shared document to promote collaboration.

Google email: Students can communicate and submit work to the teacher digitally.

Nearpod: This is an interactive presentation and assessment tool. With this resource, the students can participate in discussions board, open-ended responses, draw it, research a skill, watch video, take a virtual field trip, complete a survey, etc. The students LOVE this resource because it can be set to student pace which allows them to work without feeling overwhelmed about keeping up with the teacher or group. They can go back and review material, highlight, and use think marks on reading materials, work out math problems on screen, and receive INSTANT feedback.

Flipgrid: When looking for a quick assessment of a skill, I often make a flipgrid in which critical thinking questions is posed and the students give a videoed verbal response. Flipgrid has also been used to share experiences with others outside of our school.

PowToon: The students create a presentation that is animated and far more interesting than the regular PowerPoint. It is so engaging that the students ALWAYS want to use it for projects.

Words with Friends Edu: The resource is used for spelling and defining words. The students create words using the letters provided and compete against each other when working on skills (ex. affixes). The students provide spelling feedback, define root words, and discuss (through messages) how the affix changes the meaning of the word. This is an EXCELLENT tool for those who struggle with defining terms out of context.

Report abuse