Middle School Tech Gets an Upgrade

by: Emma Elsenbrook and Kori Spurgers

The transition to online learning for our entire school population in the Spring of 2020 was admittedly a bumpy one. In preparation for our return to campus this Fall, The Westview School knew that revamping our classroom technology was essential to meeting our students’ needs, on-campus and off, for all grade levels. However, our Middle School program was quickly identified as a group that would benefit most from a significant upgrade to in-class technology. Technology is a crucial part of everyday life in today’s world, and education is no exception. Westview administration, teachers, and the IT department worked together to acquire the equipment and programs needed to facilitate this new learning path. Westview’s goal was to identify the most effective ways to integrate new forms of technology into our program to better prepare our Middle School students for their next level of education.

This year, each Middle School student has a personal Chromebook fully equipped with Google Suite. Students have access to their own computer set up for their specific classes and programs. This has completely changed how we teach and how students learn. A typical Middle School day will have students using technology to take online quizzes for ELA, research explorers for an upcoming Social Studies project, share ideas with classmates for group work, and even log into interactive quest games to enhance Math learning.

By layering technology into Middle School students’ daily learning, Westview teachers have already seen an increase in student productivity. Technology adds a layer of fun and interactivity to daily lessons, and students are instantly more engaged and motivated.

There is also a social responsibility component to an increase in personal technology usage for our students. Each Middle Schooler signed an “Acceptable Use Agreement,” which stresses the importance of personal responsibility and respect for self and others while using electronics. Students’ computer activities at school are monitored, and it is essential that by adding on technology, we also teach our students how to use it safely and responsibly.

The big reveal for this school year was the delivery of a 65-inch interactive screen for each homeroom. The addition of the Clevertouch screens gives teachers the ability to meet both virtual and conventional classroom needs. Teachers can access all materials and lessons from their cloud accounts, simplifying the switch between classes and rooms. This piece was essential for the Middle School as our teachers needed to transition between lessons and classrooms seamlessly. Screen Mirroring allows both teachers and students to share their computer screens for a truly collaborative learning experience.

With internet access on all boards, teachers can pull up maps, images, videos, and interactive games that can instantly enhance lessons. The Clevertouch screens have also played a crucial role in getting our ancillary teachers and virtual students in the classroom in real-time. With a large and clear display, teachers can help guide students step-by-step through the new virtual platforms used in the classroom. These boards are equipped with features to support teaching and add value to the lessons.

Technology in the classroom is a powerful tool and can transform the way we teach and better meet each of our students’ needs. This is a learning process for all of us! We are committed to learning new ways to use and incorporate this technology. We are delighted to be part of this new and exciting opportunity at The Westview School.

Emma Elsenbrook teaches ELA to Middle School students using a Google Docs file from her laptop linked to a CleverTouch screen.