7 minute read
ON TECHNOLOGY
Zoom...Google Meet...Remote learning...Asynchronous vs Synchronous...these are words, programs, and phrases that many of us had never even heard of, much less uttered, prior to the spring of 2020. Now, they are part of our vernacular and are essential in understanding the everchanging landscape of education in the age of COVID-19.
At Eagle Hill, the core of our instruction remains the same, despite the challenges presented by COVID-19. We meet our students at their academic level(s) and work to remediate skills while pushing them to a greater understanding of their unique learning challenges. The nuts and bolts of our program - a skillsbased, individualized, and interdisciplinary instructional model - remain the hallmark of the Eagle Hill experience whether we are delivering the instruction in-person or remotely. That said, the global pandemic required us to shift our thinking a bit to ensure that all of our students have the means to be successful whether learning from home or at school.
Advertisement
The use of technology has long been part of the educational landscape at EHS. For almost 25 years, the Upper School has had some iteration of a 1:1 laptop program, allowing Upper School students to use their Eagle Hill technology and all the programs they need while on campus or at home. Typically, in the Lower School, students had access to mobile computer labs that teachers pulled from when necessary and appropriate. This year, a generous donation allowed us to purchase Chromebooks for all students in Lower School and iPads for our youngest students in Foundations.
Laptops and Zooms and Meets, Oh My!
CATHLEEN TONE
Educational Technology Integrator
Now, equipped with Chromebooks, Lower School students have the chance to experiment with and learn from the abundance of technological supports that exist for students. This exposure helps to facilitate the bridge from the Lower School to the Upper School, as the transitioning students will already be familiar with the regular use of a laptop in the classroom. Additionally, in the hopes of making our remote learning days as productive and seamless as possible, many programs and applications designed to improve the learning experience of students with learning differences have been more explicitly incorporated into our everyday teaching and learning routines.
Examples of the programs and applications utilized include speech-to-text capabilities, writing prediction software, and browser extensions that help to make all types of text more accessible to our students. Sure, the children enjoy all of the “bells & whistles” that come along with these devices (teachers do, too!) but our job has always been to find ways to seamlessly and safely infuse these enhancements into our teaching. All students are taught responsible use of their devices and teachers weave technology into their lessons in a way that enhances the concepts they are instructing.
Having the device and all the appropriate programs and applications is one thing, learning how to maximize the benefits to your learning is quite another! Much of this fall and winter has been spent with students and teachers on the ins and outs of Zoom, Google Suite applications (e.g., Classroom, Docs, Slides, etc.), and the device they are using (MacBook or Chromebook). Our weeks of training and remote learning have been extremely productive and both teachers and students have found ways to navigate the distance “between the screens.” The entire Eagle Hill community has demonstrated flexibility, patience, creativity, and resilience as the boundaries of the traditional classroom have changed.
Sometimes, the learning curve related to technology can be a steep one - steeper for us than for our children! As we look ahead to life and education after COVID-19, the Technology Department is looking forward to working with our students, faculty, staff, and parents to enhance the learning experiences for our students – no matter what challenges we may face!
What is an Educational Technology Integrator ?
My primary role as the Educational Technology Integrator, a new position this school year, is to facilitate creative and innovative use of technology by working in collaboration with teachers and students. Fortunately, this is also a teaching position so I am able to experiment with and test out new technology programs and applications in my classes. Obviously, the pandemic has brought about a host of other opportunities for this type of collaboration. Time has been very well spent doing small group training or 1:1 sessions with parents, teachers, and students, sharing “how-to” videos, and facilitating the necessary switches we have had to make to remote learning over the course of the school year.
“We are very excited to welcome Cathleen to the Technology Team at Eagle Hill. Her position – Educational Technology Integrator – allows our department to easily collaborate with teachers and ensure that everyone at Eagle Hill is using technology to the fullest and is capable and prepared to learn in classrooms on campus and at home if needed. Cathleen’s years of experience as a teacher at Eagle Hill are invaluable to our department and this position. I look forward to our continued work in seamlessly integrating technology into our educational curriculum.”
–Julien Laveyssieres, Director of Technology
Nancy Brookman (second from R) celebrating Eagle Hill’s 40th Anniversary in 2015. (R) Nancy Brookman and her husband, Larry Brookman
Remembering Nancy Brookman
IN FEBRUARY 2021, Eagle Hill lost one of its pioneers — Nancy Brookman. An alumni parent, former member of the Board of Trustees, and former Director of Development, Nancy was an instrumental part of Eagle Hill’s history. All three of Nancy’s sons attended Eagle Hill and, as a parent, Nancy was responsible for founding the Parents Association.
The PA became an integral part of the School community – planning and staffing events, creating opportunities for parents to connect, and providing resources and support for the parent body. The first Annual Benefit was created and carried out by Nancy and her team of volunteers. Nancy would go on to plan more than twelve other benefit events as our
Director of Development. For many years, Nancy served on the Board of Trustees and was an effective leader, shaping our school for a long and successful future.
The entire Eagle Hill community shares their sympathy and love with Nancy’s family and remembers Nancy’s warmth, intelligence, humor, and dedication to our school.
“Nancy was funny, fiercely loyal, a team player, exceptionally intelligent, highly organized, and dedicated to making Eagle
Hill a nationally recognized institution and, more importantly, a place where children who struggled with learning could truly succeed. Nancy will be sorely missed by all who knew and worked with her at Eagle
Hill. She was truly an exceptional gift to the entire EHS community and its mission.”
MARK AND RAYMA GRIFFIN EAGLE HILL FOUNDERS “Eagle Hill was truly family to my mom.
She was fortunate to have been part of building what has now become a model for the community Eagle Hill serves. Although raising money is one of the most difficult tasks for any organization my mom did it with an energy and passion that was remarkable. She was not going to take
“no” for an answer and was always raising the bar. She threw extravagant events that always left an impression and drew tremendous generosity. My family and I are so proud of our mom and the lasting impression she left on Eagle Hill. We each feel fortunate to have so many fond memories of Eagle Hill and look forward to continuing to grow those relationships.” “I first met Nancy through the Parents
Association. I had heard the school was getting ready to do a Strategic Plan which would include parents in addition to faculty and trustees, so I went up to Nancy’s office, introduced myself and asked if I could be a part of it. At that point, she knew she had a live one and she reeled me in! Not only was I put on the Strategic Plan Committee, but she later talked me into co-running the benefit! She said to me, “I found the perfect person to run the benefit with you.
You’re going to love her and it’s going to be great!” How did she do that?! Because she didn’t take no for an answer, that’s how. She was right though! Nancy Poses and I had a great time together and have remained good friends ever since. And, when she cornered us in the ladies room after it was over and asked if we’d help out the following year, we said yes.
Nancy was superb at what she did at school, but she was also a wonderful friend. Having three grown sons who attended EHS, she knew exactly what we parents were going through which was helpful to not only me but everyone she came into contact with. I will miss her immensely.”
AUDREY MACDONALD EHS ALUMNI PARENT & TRUSTEE EMERITUS
