No Technology Day, April 29th (Student Response 5)

All of our learning today took place without having access to technology tools such as laptops, the Smartboard, Senteo Responders, and digital cameras. In Math, we completed a unit test and worked on Logique 18 without any direction from the SMARTBoard or without any interactive warm-up. In Language Arts, we completed a poetry handout and started some of our own poetry. In Science, we did a matching activity using the chalkboard, read from the text and copied vocabulary notes. How does technology affect our every day routine? How could we have used technology today to better our learning experience? (Please remember the 5 point blog rubric. Also remember to spell check and proofread your comments before posting. Thank you.)

The Use of the SMARTBoard (Student Response 4)

Most of you have had access to a SMARTboard throughout the entire duration of your school experience. The board allows you to:
-See and visit websites, for example the HMS Homepage and your homework, TeacherTube, Discovery Streaming, Wordreference and many others.
-Touch it, for example during warm-ups for tickets, le tunnel magique, matching, snake, and 'agents en noir'.
-Draw on it, for example when we draw angles for geometry or answers for mental math quizzes.

-Watch videos, our photostories and see edited 'Picnik' pictures.
- See the progress of a Senteo test, for example the results and averages of the class.

With that said, how do you think a SMARTBoard is helpful in school? What is your favorite activity involving the SMARTBoard?

My Friend/ Mon ami(e) ...Student Response 3 (précoce)

On Friday April 17th, Early French Immersion students were able to meet their Francophone penpals from Tracadie-Sheila, NB for the very first time using SMART Bridgit software. It was quite rewarding to actually see and converse with our friends after corresponding via written letters all year. Even more exciting: In June, we will be meeting our friends in person (in Fredericton) on a "Friends Meeting Friends" field trip, which includes a visit to Science East.

As students, what did you enjoy most about the virtual exchange? What is different about communicating by virtual exchange, verses the handwritten letter? Do you feel more comfortable now to meet your penpal in person? Why or why not?

'Welkom' Special Visitors from the Netherlands! Student Response 2

On Tuesday, we had special guests Leonne and Sjaak; teachers visiting from the Netherlands. They were quite impressed with all of the interactive technology that we use everyday in our class. They even tried the Senteo Interactive Responders, in the form of a Math quiz on Equivalent Ratios. Describe a favorite interactive lesson activity that you would enjoy sharing with a classroom guest.

Some very SMART links

Purple Team Home: For Homework, Announcements, Schedules and Initiatives
http://hms.nbed.nb.ca/purple/index.html

ED Compass April Feature Story: Enriched Learning Environments
http://hms.nbed.nb.ca/purple/documents/EDCompassApril09FeatureArticleFINALwithPHOTOS.pdf

SMART Parent and Student Exchange: Take the classroom tour and leave a comment! http://smartle.edublogs.org/

District 16 Media Server: http://dt16community.nbed.nb.ca/media/

District 16 Homepage News: Engaging Harkins Middle School Students in Research
http://www.district16.nbed.nb.ca/news/engaging-harkins-middle-school-students-research

Welcome

I am happy to announce that our classroom is the setting of a SMART Learning Environments Project. We are 1 of 5 classrooms chosen by SMART Technology, maker of the SMARTBoard (http://smarttech.com/), to participate.

The purpose of this undertaking is research based. SMART would like for us to demonstrate how their products support whole class interactive teaching, cooperative group work and individual learning. This is a unique opportunity for us to share ideas and explore effective teaching and learning techniques.

The modern world is in a constant state of change. I want our students to be comfortable using the tools necessary to prepare them for our fast-paced world. Plus, being the 'igeneration', school is much more appealing to students when interactive media is at their fingertips. This project will give students more opportunities to learn their way.

For our participation, SMART has provided our classroom with the following products: SMART USB bracelets (30 to use and share in-class), one Airliner wireless slate, a SMART Document Camera and software. In return, we will share our experiences using the products through video, this blog, Senteo surveys and a final research paper of my observations (written by me).

As a showcase classroom, we will communicate with other teachers and classrooms via published video online. Some of these videos may be uploaded to sites like District 16 Media Server, TeacherTube, and/or SMART Technology.

I am very excited to have this opportunity and I am looking forward to some worthy, educational experiences as a result. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Yours in learning,

Ms Amy Barrieau

mailto:amy.barrieau@nbed.nb.ca

Using Senteo Interactive Responders in School...Student Response 1

In our classroom, we use Senteo Interactive Responders for Math quizzes and Science tests, conversation starters in Language Arts and for simple surveys. Think about how Senteos allow us to have access to class and student percentages, information using visual aids (like pie charts and bar graphs) and instant results.
Do you feel you learn better, understand your subject more, and/or feel more involved in your learning when you use Senteo Interactive Responders? How? Explain and give examples.