Favorite #96: Overton Elementary School

Overton students technology savvy …

Leader in Technology

This past March I was invited as an author to career day at Overton Elementary School in Salisbury, NC. Setting up for my presentation, I was pleasantly surprised to learn Overton’s classrooms are some of the most technologically advanced classrooms in the state of North Carolina. Tech facilitator, Christopher Painter, while helping me set up, explained some of the innovations the students experience firsthand.

Mr. Painter proudly said, “Each classroom is equipped with an iPad cart, interactive whiteboard, iMacs, cameras and a verity of other tools, creating the opportunity for a truly innovative learning environment. The goal of these digital tools is to inspire innovation among our teachers and transform learning by leading the digital conversion. At the heart of the instructional design-model is the goal to embed foundational skills of LITERACY into all facets of what happens at Overton.

“One of the apps the students find most engaging is Tellagami. With this app, they are able to create a video and by customizing an avatar or character, explain with their voice a concept. They create the setting using photo editing and photo collage apps on their iPad, importing it as the background of their video. By doing this, students are creating an engaging product that builds literacy and promotes higher-order thinking skills.

“The variety of work students are doing is astounding. They literally walk around school with the internet in their hands, carrying their own personal music recording and video production studio, having access to more information than any other generation.”

Here are some of the reasons students and teachers at Overton like the innovative technology  …

1. I-pads can be used everyday for looking up things.

2. Makes good presentations for classroom projects.

3. Saves paper.

4. Technology helps with understanding “stuff” better. If I have a question, all I have to do is google.

5. You can make a video book.

6. Can make I-movies and not only choose the music, but record your voice.

Laura Zimmerman-Clark, a third-grade teacher, said, “I don’t have as many behavior problems with technology because it engages the kids. Learning is right at their finger tips. I especially like that Apple TV makes it where you can see each other’s work.”

Gone are the days where students are sitting in rows all day, pushing a pencil. With a one-to-one ratio of students to digital devices, they now have the ability to research from a much broader base. Although as an author, I still love books, and believe there will always be a place for books in the hands of a child, in order to reach the next generation, we must be open to new options.

Congratulations, Overton Elementary School!  Principal, Betty Tunks will be proud to know you are my favorite school of the week for leadership in innovative technology in the Rowan-Salisbury Schools. If interested in learning more about the technology program at Overton, click here.

Do you know of any schools or educators who have gone above and beyond, bravely leading students into the future? If so, leave a comment, message on Facebook, or email dicysm@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Dicy

www.dicymcculloughbooks.com

www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog