BY MATTHEW WIGGINS PHOTOS BY JEFFREY SYLVESTER
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T. VRAIN VALLEY SCHOOLS’ COMMITMENT to providing rich learning experiences and cuttingedge technology is well-established. The passage of the 2012 mill levy override allowed the school district to implement a robust Learning Technology Plan and equip students a nd teachers with iPad minis, Chromebooks and other devices. These digital tools have reshaped how students think a nd lea rn a nd how they engage teachers a nd fellow classma tes. Lea rning is no longer confined to the traditional classroom, but extends to the home, our community and in some cases, the globe. Visiting an elementary classroom within St. Vrain looks far different than it did ten, or even five years ago. Computers, iPads and Chromebooks are as commonplace as pencil and paper. Applying new technology to classroom lea rning is a na tural progression, but developing creative ways to pa ir these devices with purposeful curriculum is essential. Farah Holburn, a fourth grade teacher a t Mead Elementa ry describes how technology has been integrated into her classroom. One way is through iReady, a K-12 adaptive diagnostic assessment tool for reading a nd ma thema tics. This invaluable resource helps identify areas where students need a little more support. After students work through the lessons, teachers ca n identify goals a nd future assignments that will support a student’s
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