Boyne City and iTunes U
Nathan Edwards
Boyne City Schools are One of the First in the State to have iPads for
Every Single Student.
BOYNE CITY -- "Yeah, I mean it's aninteresting tool to have. It makes learning easier and much quicker than pencils and paper," Fourth grader Lauren Hudson said.
Hudson only needs her iPad to study.Her fourth grade class is using their tablets to do research for an upcoming field trip. This is just one of the many ways that teachers in the Boyne City school district are using this technology to help students learn.
"We are teaching students differently than we have before, and this is our way to meet this generation of students, where they are learning the way they like to learn," Elementary School Principal Fred Sitkins said.
The district announced a 1:1 initiative a few years ago to get iPads into the hands of every student K-12. This year they have accomplished that goal with the help of grants, donations and a local levy. Now that each student has one, teachers are beginning to notice changes in their classes.
"Since we've had the iPad in the classroom student engagement has skyrocketed," Fourth grade teacher Rebecca Wildman said.
The district hopes that this engagement helps students place higher in statewide tests. They also believe the kids will walk away with skills to help them succeed in everyday life.
"It's very engaging and that's the beauty of the iPad. Now most the jobs that these students may have in the future haven't even been invented yet so we're preparing them for the technology change that is starting now and will continue in the future," Wildman said.
Other districts around Northern Michigan are looking at copying Boyne City's program. In the next few years you are likely to see other schools taking the same steps to modernize education.
Hudson only needs her iPad to study.Her fourth grade class is using their tablets to do research for an upcoming field trip. This is just one of the many ways that teachers in the Boyne City school district are using this technology to help students learn.
"We are teaching students differently than we have before, and this is our way to meet this generation of students, where they are learning the way they like to learn," Elementary School Principal Fred Sitkins said.
The district announced a 1:1 initiative a few years ago to get iPads into the hands of every student K-12. This year they have accomplished that goal with the help of grants, donations and a local levy. Now that each student has one, teachers are beginning to notice changes in their classes.
"Since we've had the iPad in the classroom student engagement has skyrocketed," Fourth grade teacher Rebecca Wildman said.
The district hopes that this engagement helps students place higher in statewide tests. They also believe the kids will walk away with skills to help them succeed in everyday life.
"It's very engaging and that's the beauty of the iPad. Now most the jobs that these students may have in the future haven't even been invented yet so we're preparing them for the technology change that is starting now and will continue in the future," Wildman said.
Other districts around Northern Michigan are looking at copying Boyne City's program. In the next few years you are likely to see other schools taking the same steps to modernize education.
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Boyne City Students Teach the Community about the Many Uses of an iPad
Boyne City eighth-graders
BOYNE CITY -- By 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, 15 minutes after the event began, an estimated 50 people had already walked through the doors of Boyne City High School for the district'siPad and technology night.
There were classes, presentations and drop-in rooms between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. open to anyone interested in learning more about the ways an iPad can be used by children and adults.
Classes during the event included K-1 apps to use with your child, create a book with your child, GoogleEarth and mapping skills, graphing with keynote, learning about iTunes U and Twitter for adults.
Presentations included, among others, Book Creator in the classroom, Edmodo in the classroom, Internet safety for your family, iTunes U in the classroom and stop motion videos.
"We just wanted people to come and see what we're doing in the classrooms because it was the community that passed a technology bond making the iPad initiative a reality," said Lisa Sitkins, instructional technology coach for the district.
There were many volunteer teachers and students on hand to show off what they know about iPads.
Eighth-graders Camella Zipp, Evie Berge and Simon Shankleton showed parents and the public stop-motion videos they made using their iPads on American Revolutionary War battles for history class.
"It was fun," said Evie, of making a video presentation on the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Fourth-grade students Inanna Hauger, Josh Robinson and Taylor Noble volunteered to show off the many uses of Google Earth on an iPad.
A few of their students were Dick Griswold, 73, and his wife, Pat, who came to the event specifically to learn to use the iPad they got for Christmas and make use of the online mapping tool, as did their neighbor, Rita Johnecheck.
"It's hard for them to understand how hard it is for someone our age to learn to use it," said Dick, "It's amazing to see the kids handling it."
For those who missed the tech night but would like to learn more about technology in the classroom, the school keeps a blog on the subject. The blog can be accessed under the technology initiative tab on the district's website.
There were classes, presentations and drop-in rooms between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. open to anyone interested in learning more about the ways an iPad can be used by children and adults.
Classes during the event included K-1 apps to use with your child, create a book with your child, GoogleEarth and mapping skills, graphing with keynote, learning about iTunes U and Twitter for adults.
Presentations included, among others, Book Creator in the classroom, Edmodo in the classroom, Internet safety for your family, iTunes U in the classroom and stop motion videos.
"We just wanted people to come and see what we're doing in the classrooms because it was the community that passed a technology bond making the iPad initiative a reality," said Lisa Sitkins, instructional technology coach for the district.
There were many volunteer teachers and students on hand to show off what they know about iPads.
Eighth-graders Camella Zipp, Evie Berge and Simon Shankleton showed parents and the public stop-motion videos they made using their iPads on American Revolutionary War battles for history class.
"It was fun," said Evie, of making a video presentation on the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Fourth-grade students Inanna Hauger, Josh Robinson and Taylor Noble volunteered to show off the many uses of Google Earth on an iPad.
A few of their students were Dick Griswold, 73, and his wife, Pat, who came to the event specifically to learn to use the iPad they got for Christmas and make use of the online mapping tool, as did their neighbor, Rita Johnecheck.
"It's hard for them to understand how hard it is for someone our age to learn to use it," said Dick, "It's amazing to see the kids handling it."
For those who missed the tech night but would like to learn more about technology in the classroom, the school keeps a blog on the subject. The blog can be accessed under the technology initiative tab on the district's website.
Boyne City Students Travel to Lansing for Tech Showcase
Students on steps of the state capitol building in Lansing
BOYNE CITY -- Area first- and fourth-grade students had the chance to tour the state capital last week. Boyne City Elementary School was one of about 50 schools that participated in an annual student technology showcase at the state capitol building in Lansing Nov. 28.
Students used iPads, computers and other electronic devices to show elected members of the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives how technology is being used in their classrooms to facilitate learning.
The projects covered a wide variety of learning areas including science, mathematics, social studies and language arts.
Taking part in the demonstrations locally were first-grade students Kayla Sandtveit, Haley Johnson, Corbin Hubble, Austin Notestine and Jack Snyder and fourth-graders Kaila Kuhn, Isaac Shiers, Anders Foltz and Sarah Snyder.
First-grade students demonstrated how they use their individual iPads to create stories and post their writings onto their blogs.
"First-graders love to write and are really excited when they get to create a story on their iPads," said first-grade teacher Erin Mastin, "The blog that they post to is another way to get them excited about writing and have their voices heard."
The fourth-grade students showcased their projects as well and demonstrated their knowledge by creating a digital presentation on United States presidents.
"When exploring and creating with their peers ... students learn about real life problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge through many creative avenues with their individual iPads," said fourth-grade teacher Rebecca Wildman.
The event was sponsored by AT&T, Michigan Department of Education, and the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL), an organization dedicated to bringing educators together to share knowledge and concerns regarding educational uses of computers and technology.
Ric Wiltse, MACUL executive director, said that technology has joined the "three Rs" as one of the basics of educating children.
"Surveys show that students enjoy using computers, so they tend to get more involved with their projects and often do much better in school as a result," he said.
Students used iPads, computers and other electronic devices to show elected members of the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives how technology is being used in their classrooms to facilitate learning.
The projects covered a wide variety of learning areas including science, mathematics, social studies and language arts.
Taking part in the demonstrations locally were first-grade students Kayla Sandtveit, Haley Johnson, Corbin Hubble, Austin Notestine and Jack Snyder and fourth-graders Kaila Kuhn, Isaac Shiers, Anders Foltz and Sarah Snyder.
First-grade students demonstrated how they use their individual iPads to create stories and post their writings onto their blogs.
"First-graders love to write and are really excited when they get to create a story on their iPads," said first-grade teacher Erin Mastin, "The blog that they post to is another way to get them excited about writing and have their voices heard."
The fourth-grade students showcased their projects as well and demonstrated their knowledge by creating a digital presentation on United States presidents.
"When exploring and creating with their peers ... students learn about real life problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge through many creative avenues with their individual iPads," said fourth-grade teacher Rebecca Wildman.
The event was sponsored by AT&T, Michigan Department of Education, and the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL), an organization dedicated to bringing educators together to share knowledge and concerns regarding educational uses of computers and technology.
Ric Wiltse, MACUL executive director, said that technology has joined the "three Rs" as one of the basics of educating children.
"Surveys show that students enjoy using computers, so they tend to get more involved with their projects and often do much better in school as a result," he said.
iPads Alter Education at Boyne City Schools
October 18, 2012
Aebra Coe (231) 439-9397- acoe@petoskeynews.com
BOYNE CITY -- All eyes are on Bethany Brown as she instructs her kindergarten classroom to use their finger to draw letters on an electronic screen. The 5- and 6-year-old children are silent as they work.
Students have been excited and eager to learn since the addition of 1,400 iPads at Boyne City Public Schools, report several teachers.
Every student in the district has been assigned an iPad this year to use in class and at home. Teachers from kindergarten through 12th grade say they have discovered numerous uses for the new devices that alter teaching and learning.
"I have a very simple educational philosophy, the more time you spend learning, the more you will learn," said superintendent Peter Moss, "These devices will help us get to that point."
Through educational apps, electronic quizzes formatted as games, interactive blogging, tablet note-taking and immediate test results, students can learn in a hands-on way with instant feedback.
"Those kids are engaged and want to practice math," said fourth-grade teacher Rebecca Wildman.
"They're eager and excited to learn," agreed her colleague, fourth-grade teacher Jen Spate.
Students increase the time spent practicing concepts because they enjoy it, said elementary school principal Fred Sitkins. Concepts are practiced repetitively in many of the iPad apps.
A few ways the fourth-grade teachers report making use of the technology include using an educational website called Edmodo, downloading iBooks for students to read and making use of instant test results.
Using Edmodo, students can log onto the website and check or submit assignments, watch a video or discuss class material with other students and the teacher.
The process of assigning, completing and grading homework used to take much longer, said Spate, before teachers could do it instantly with the new technology. Teachers can send results of activities, writing assignments and tests to parents by email immediately. That way, parents know right away when their children are falling behind on work or having trouble in a specific area.
The students also now have test results instantly, allowing them to see how they performed without waiting a few days or a week for feedback.
"It's a good communication piece from school to home," said Spate.
The teachers can also suggest helpful and fun apps to parents, she said, that students can use in their free time to help them improve in areas they are struggling.
Using iBooks students can highlight, underline, add their own notes and check on the definition or pronunciation of a word while reading.
"It's a better way for the students to be immersed in the text," said Wildman.
The teachers have downloaded more than 50 books their students can read on any given night instead of being able to check out only a few books at a time from the school library.
At the middle school, math teacher Ryan Ringle reports seeing better grades from students so far this year, he believes are caused by teaching with the new technology.
"A majority of kids are visual learners," he said. "It's one more way to get into their heads where they can learn."
He likes the instant feedback he gets, said Ringle, so that he can identify when kids begin to struggle with something right away and correct it or give them extra help. Also, more advanced students can progress quickly because they can work on problems individually on the tablets.
Ringle also makes use of an app called iTunes U. It is a good resource, he said, because students don't need the Internet to access videos of lessons he posts to it. That way students in households without wireless Internet are not limited by a lack of technology at home. The teacher can break each lesson up into small parts so that at home, students can go back over specific parts of the lesson for help with homework.
While some teachers use the iPads in class on a daily basis, Ringle says he uses them only twice a week.
"We're not ready to get rid of pencil and paper yet," he said.
High school English teacher, John Hertel explained that many of the ways he uses the technology models how professors now assign projects and homework to university students.
Each of his students maintains a blog and can respond to one another's ideas online. Hertel can comment as well and bring in ideas and discussion points. It helps them begin to formulate ideas, he said, for larger essay assignments.
Each student has access to the Internet consistently throughout the school day.
"The access to information is so wonderful," said Hertel.
When students research essays, he said, the information is literally at their fingertips.
Like several other teachers in the district, Hertel has built a website for each of his classes where students can access PowerPoint presentations, schedules for readings and assignments and other resources from their iPads.
"This is breaking a lot of teachers out of their mold," said Ringle. "And the kids are really excited about it."
Aebra Coe (231) 439-9397- acoe@petoskeynews.com
BOYNE CITY -- All eyes are on Bethany Brown as she instructs her kindergarten classroom to use their finger to draw letters on an electronic screen. The 5- and 6-year-old children are silent as they work.
Students have been excited and eager to learn since the addition of 1,400 iPads at Boyne City Public Schools, report several teachers.
Every student in the district has been assigned an iPad this year to use in class and at home. Teachers from kindergarten through 12th grade say they have discovered numerous uses for the new devices that alter teaching and learning.
"I have a very simple educational philosophy, the more time you spend learning, the more you will learn," said superintendent Peter Moss, "These devices will help us get to that point."
Through educational apps, electronic quizzes formatted as games, interactive blogging, tablet note-taking and immediate test results, students can learn in a hands-on way with instant feedback.
"Those kids are engaged and want to practice math," said fourth-grade teacher Rebecca Wildman.
"They're eager and excited to learn," agreed her colleague, fourth-grade teacher Jen Spate.
Students increase the time spent practicing concepts because they enjoy it, said elementary school principal Fred Sitkins. Concepts are practiced repetitively in many of the iPad apps.
A few ways the fourth-grade teachers report making use of the technology include using an educational website called Edmodo, downloading iBooks for students to read and making use of instant test results.
Using Edmodo, students can log onto the website and check or submit assignments, watch a video or discuss class material with other students and the teacher.
The process of assigning, completing and grading homework used to take much longer, said Spate, before teachers could do it instantly with the new technology. Teachers can send results of activities, writing assignments and tests to parents by email immediately. That way, parents know right away when their children are falling behind on work or having trouble in a specific area.
The students also now have test results instantly, allowing them to see how they performed without waiting a few days or a week for feedback.
"It's a good communication piece from school to home," said Spate.
The teachers can also suggest helpful and fun apps to parents, she said, that students can use in their free time to help them improve in areas they are struggling.
Using iBooks students can highlight, underline, add their own notes and check on the definition or pronunciation of a word while reading.
"It's a better way for the students to be immersed in the text," said Wildman.
The teachers have downloaded more than 50 books their students can read on any given night instead of being able to check out only a few books at a time from the school library.
At the middle school, math teacher Ryan Ringle reports seeing better grades from students so far this year, he believes are caused by teaching with the new technology.
"A majority of kids are visual learners," he said. "It's one more way to get into their heads where they can learn."
He likes the instant feedback he gets, said Ringle, so that he can identify when kids begin to struggle with something right away and correct it or give them extra help. Also, more advanced students can progress quickly because they can work on problems individually on the tablets.
Ringle also makes use of an app called iTunes U. It is a good resource, he said, because students don't need the Internet to access videos of lessons he posts to it. That way students in households without wireless Internet are not limited by a lack of technology at home. The teacher can break each lesson up into small parts so that at home, students can go back over specific parts of the lesson for help with homework.
While some teachers use the iPads in class on a daily basis, Ringle says he uses them only twice a week.
"We're not ready to get rid of pencil and paper yet," he said.
High school English teacher, John Hertel explained that many of the ways he uses the technology models how professors now assign projects and homework to university students.
Each of his students maintains a blog and can respond to one another's ideas online. Hertel can comment as well and bring in ideas and discussion points. It helps them begin to formulate ideas, he said, for larger essay assignments.
Each student has access to the Internet consistently throughout the school day.
"The access to information is so wonderful," said Hertel.
When students research essays, he said, the information is literally at their fingertips.
Like several other teachers in the district, Hertel has built a website for each of his classes where students can access PowerPoint presentations, schedules for readings and assignments and other resources from their iPads.
"This is breaking a lot of teachers out of their mold," said Ringle. "And the kids are really excited about it."
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