[CASL-L] IPAD Use in Classrooms Expanding

[Lynn Rappaport]

Interesting mention of a different type of  Media Specialist(?) in the
article below printed in the *Hartford Courant* this week.

Lynn A. Rappaport
School Librarian
Environmental Sciences Magnet School at Mary Hooker
Hartford, CT

East Hartford Integrating iPads In Classrooms
 By SUZANNE CARLSON, scarlson at courant.com The Hartford Courant

9:09 p.m. EST, December 16, 2013

EAST HARTFORD — In preparation for new testing standards, elementary school
students are learning to read, type, and swipe through lessons on iPads
with the help of literacy media technology specialists.

Schools began integrating iPads into classrooms in the 2011-12 school year
and expansion of
iPad<http://www.courant.com/topic/services-shopping/electronic-devices/apple-ipad-PRDCES000000029.topic>programs
is ongoing.

Ben Upson, who serves as technology coach for all
kindergarten-through-grade six schools, updated the school board Monday
about the status of the programs.

"Really what we're doing is teaching kids in a manner and on a device that
they really enjoy using," Upson said.
 ------------------------------

The Common Core curriculum and accompanying Smarter Balanced Assessment
testing requires schools to administer tests on computers and integrate
technology into classrooms. Upson said iPads and computers help encourage
reluctant students to engage in learning.

*In addition to introducing students to iPads, Upson said schools are
working to integrate media literacy and technology throughout classrooms
with the help of media specialists Jaime Prokop, Andrea Ferreira, and Laura
Corpora.*

*The three specialists were hired in the spring with funding from the state
alliance grant program, which seeks to bolster reform efforts at the
state's lowest performing 30 districts on standardized tests.*

East Hartford<http://www.courant.com/topic/us/connecticut/hartford-county/east-hartford-PLGEO100100202080000.topic>schools
are in the third year of what is expected to be a five-year
program, and have received an increase in alliance grant money each year.
Schools received $1.71 million in 2012, $4.35 million in 2013, and nearly
$7 million for the coming school year.

Ferreira said that students are receiving instruction in typing, testing
methods, and activities that use classroom lessons, such as blogging about
that day's reading assignment.

Smarter Balanced Assessments include technology requirements, such as being
able to type a minimum of two pages in a single sitting by fifth grade, and
the ability to use control shortcuts to drag objects across a screen,
highlight, and cut and paste text.

Ferreira said students are also being taught how to do research online and
cite sources.

"They're taking notes, they're asking questions, and then they take all
that research and they're creating Powerpoints to present in their
classrooms," Ferreira said.

Prokop said that the media specialists are collaborating with school
principals and library media staff to redesign library layouts to
accommodate new technology and establish consistent media lab procedures.

*Media specialists also provide technical support for school functions,
manage the iPad apps and software, and train teachers.*

Because use of alliance grant funding is restricted by the state to schools
identified as being in need of assistance, Upson said that the media
specialists are only working in those schools, which include Silver Lane,
O'Brien, Hockanum, Norris, Mayberry, and Langford.

*"It is our hope that these three positions will expand, because we really
are seeing some worth from the positions," Upson said. "These fine people
service six schools but it would be lovely if we could expand that support
at some time."*

Copyright © 2013, The Hartford Courant <http://www.courant.com/>
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