Mayfield teachers fire up their computers and become students of technology

Ed-tech cohort moves beyond the latest i-gadgets to engage students

Mayfield faculty members have their own 21st-century learning challenge. How do they effectively integrate educational technology in a classroom of digital natives?

Yes, these Gen Z teenagers, who have never known life without a smartphone or wi-fi, need their teachers’ guidance when analyzing the novel “Wide Sargasso Sea” in honors English or figuring out how to graph a polynomial function in precalculus. But give these girls a new app or a new software platform and they take off, sometimes faster than their teachers.

Recognizing the critical need for professional development among faculty members in the fast-moving field of educational technology, Head of School Kate Morin instituted a “tech cohort” in 2017 and brought on ed-tech expert Elaine Wrenn as the teacher for our teachers. In its second year, nine faculty members—including veterans with 20-plus years’ experience and newly-minted teachers—have joined the cohort, meeting once a week with Ms. Wrenn, who helps them pluck ideal classroom tools from the abundance of educational software options.

“In order to succeed, students need to take control of their learning, understand how to be ethical digital citizens, gather information from a variety of resources and build knowledge by exploring and designing solutions to real-world problems,” Ms. Wrenn explained. “Technology makes this all possible.”

The Mayfield faculty are truly lifelong learners. No matter where they are in their career, they are always looking for ways that they can improve to benefit the girls.

— ELAINE WRENN, INSTRUCTIONAL INNOVATION COACH

Biology teacher Theresa Peters said she had been searching for new ways to engage her students “where they live and breathe— technology.” Ms. Peters, who has inspired countless students to pursue science careers, said she found an “amazing mentor” in Elaine Wrenn.

Tech cohort members talk about their “transformational” experience, discovering new paths to take in their teaching. When they make a mistake, their students quickly assume the instructor’s role, gently correcting their teachers, offering reassurance and guiding them to higher levels of proficiency.

Faculty members said they loved the flipped roles. Clearly our students have excellent models when it comes to teaching.

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Ed-tech Training: Teaching the Teachers

Elaine Wrenn (right), a former teacher, is the Director of Educational Leadership and Strategy at Knowing Technologies, Mayfield’s IT services provider. Mayfield teachers have a one-word name for her—amazing!

I love being able to inspire teachers… and help them see that they do not have to be technology experts in order to utilize it effectively in the classroom.

— ELAINE WRENN

Math teacher Kenny Fisher uses new classroom technology to help students find out what methods work best for them.

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Teachers model lifelong learning and resilience

Tech cohort teachers show their students that despite struggle and sometimes failure, learning is a constant and often collaborative process.

My students witnessed me stretching myself through technology integration. I hope it encourages them to step outside of their comfort zones and learn something different.

— KRISTA ELLIS, ENGLISH

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Creating student-centered classrooms

Sr. Pegeen Connolly, SCRH, guides students using a new software application in history class.

Students are the classroom stars as teachers apply the power of educational technology.

I am able to be the coach on the sidelines instead of the center of the picture.

— ANNIE PONTRELLI, MATH

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When students share how they solved a problem with the class on the iPad, we call it ‘the power of the iPad.’ I always get a kick when I ask for a volunteer and someone says, ‘I want the power of the iPad!’

— ALLI AKAGI, CHEMISTRY

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Engaged students are better learners

Students become content creators, not just information consumers. They demonstrate their understanding by creating videos, multimedia books, blogs and infographics—skills that will set them up for success in work and life.

Students are asked to reflect and consider what gaps the textbook has and this encourages them to challenge the material they encounter.

— APRIL GARCEZ, THEOLOGY

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From the archives: A tech gem from Postscripts 1984

This was the inaugural year of the Mayfield Computer Club. Students proclaimed that they could “send each other secret messages and are ready to move into the space age.” Former Bell Telephone Labs engineer and computer club advisor Jim Jenal taught Mayfield’s first computer science courses in 1982. His passion project was to connect students beyond the gates of 500 Bellefontaine through Usenet, a precursor to the Internet. Here’s his prescient ed-tech prediction from Postscripts 1984:

Jim Jenal's prescient ed-tech prediction from Postscripts 1984.