|
|
 |
|
The
views expressed
on this page are soley those of the author and do not
necessarily
represent the views of County News Online
|
 |
Grant provides
ePads to GCSD students
From Laura Bemus
Assistant Superintendent
Have you heard the good news? Greenville City Schools received
money from federal grants and also the Greenville Foundation that will
be used to provide individualized math and reading instruction to
students in kindergarten through second grades, beginning with first
grade. This grant money will allow our district to provide every
K-2 student with an iPad over the next three years. Each iPad
will deliver content customized to meet each child’s individual needs
in both Math and English Language Arts.
The goal of this program is to support classroom instruction with
personalized learning tools that promote student engagement and
growth. These tablets will be used solely for school-related
work, and students will be allowed to take their iPads home so they can
complete their individualized assignments.
Teachers will have training on iPads on the District’s Waiver Days,
Sept. 28 and Oct. 19. On Monday, Oct. 5, iPads will be issued,
and students will be permitted to take their devices home pending
completion of an iPad Agreement. The agreement is established so
that parents will know what to expect and to keep them informed.
Each iPad is issued in a protective case with specialized labeling for
easy identification.
During the week of Oct. 5 – 9, students will familiarize
themselves with eSpark by completing a Launch Quest, which introduces
students to example lessons and tasks. The Launch Quest takes
place at school and students complete a unique quest each day for five
consecutive days. Oct. 12 is our Official eSpark Kick-off!
Students will begin completing their own individualized quests that are
aligned to testing data, using MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)
tests that were completed by each student in September . Students
will eSpark 20 minutes, three times per week, for both reading and
math. This will look different in every classroom. For
example, a reading teacher may use eSpark as a learning center station,
while a math teacher may have the entire class eSparking
simultaneously. Although every classroom may integrate eSpark
slightly differently, each teacher will provide students with the
necessary time requirements.
Access to these learning tools is a privilege and comes with
responsibility for our students, and Greenville City Schools believes
the majority of it’s students will take care of their iPad
device. Studies show that iPads improve student engagement and
allow schools to better tailor instructional activities. They
also improve students’ technological literacy. Students and
families are encouraged to think of the iPad the way you think of a
textbook. Just as students are responsible for returning their
books in the condition initially received, the same expectations will
apply to their iPad.
When combined with classroom instruction, this tool will promote
individual academic growth while preparing our students for the
challenges of the 21st century. We are excited to move forward
with this project.
|
|
|
|
