SBTS EdTech

Fifth graders at Colvin Run Elementary are one of four FCPS schools participating in a Global Classroom project as part of their social studies curriculum. Students in one 5th grade class have been participating in a special part of the project, using video conferencing to connect with students from Oldbury Wells School, Shropshire, U.K., sharing and learning about each other’s cultures.  This collaborative learning experience was highlighted at the Governor’s Luncheon on October 26th as the 300 luncheon guests, including Gov. Tim Kane, shared in a live video conference between Colvin Run 5th graders and the students from Oldbury Wells School in Shropshire U.K. The video linked here was shown at the luncheon and outlines the Global Classroom Project.

Welcome to the Hinterlands in Fairfax County!  We are excited to share all the wonderful things going on in our schools and how we as a neighborhood are supporting instruction and each other as we meet the needs of our diverse school communities.  Due to the varied needs or our teachers and students, our neighborhood of SBTS focuses on supporting the differentiated instructional needs of each community.  Below are just a few of the things we have done in the past and a few of our ideas for the upcoming year.

• Students at Great Falls Elementary participated in a project integrating technology in a study of the famous photographer, Ansel Adams.  Students used digital cameras to take black and white photographs of nature in the style of Ansel Adams. Students were engaged in discussions and activities related to perspective and learned many different skills related to using digital cameras.  We are excited to extend this project during the 08-09 school year to a study of Portraits of Power of Richard Avedon.
• Forestville administrators have their own blog on the staff Blackboard course.  They have been using the blog to start professional conversations about technology, PLC, and other topics.
• Colvin Run students in different grade levels are using digital recorders and Audacity to create content-based podcasts that are posted on the school’s website or teacher’s Blackboard sites:  6th graders Explorer podcasts, 1st graders Animal Research, 4th grade Virginia Minute, 5th graders Math review and class books in primary grades to created to increase reading fluency. In lieu of a school newspaper, a group of fifth & sixth grade students create podcasts that demonstrate what is happening around school so every grade level has online informatioin in the form of podcasts about their learning.  After a summer course in which 15 teachers participated, Colvin Run teachers have focused on integrating SmartBoards with their daily instruction. The boards have been used in as centers and in small and large group instruction.
• Herndon Elementary school purchased 33 SMARTBoards, 32 projectors, and 41 carts in the past year.  They now have a SMARTBoard and a projector in every general education classroom.  They are currently working hard to integrate this equipment.  Many teachers are taking the “Building Lessons for The Interactive Whiteboard” class this fall.  They are planning on starting  a SMARTBoard “Support Group” to share ideas for implementation and integration.
• Kindergartners at Forest Edge ES are video conferencing with their 3rd grade pen pals in New Jersey allowing teachers to test the process.