Twenty-First century learning arrives in Massapequa

Chromebooks+have+become+a+vital+part+of+the+learning+process+in+Massapequa+recently+as+well+as+in+many+classes+across+the+country.

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Chromebooks have become a vital part of the learning process in Massapequa recently as well as in many classes across the country.

Massapequa has announced that every secondary student in the district will be issued his or her own Chromebook starting next September making it a turning point in Massapequa’s technological history.

Massapequa arrived on the digital learning scene when Chromebooks were distributed to Berner Middle School students last February in accordance with the “Learning…Anytime, Anywhere” program.  The subsequent expansion of the number of students who use them marks Massapequa’s efforts, and successes, with preparing students of all ages for the increasingly online world of college and careers.

This decision has been a long time in the making, and now classroom teachers and students will have to adapt their teaching and learning processes, respectively.  Subsequently, the switch to an online classroom, while seemingly far away, may not be all that unrealistic afterall.

When it comes to mathematics, many people call to mind the image of years past— pencils, erasers, and paper in hand; substituting into formulas and erasing constantly.  However, online education at the secondary level has revolutionized this. Teachers are looking forward to continuing the implementation of applications and websites they have tried, tested and used.  

“[Massapequa’s Chromebook program] works well with Khan Academy and I am able to engage students in class,” math teacher Ms. Jessica Yandoli said.  

The Chromebooks also have potential in LOTE (Language Other Than English) classrooms as well.  

“I think that having Chromebooks next year will allow World Language students to experience different people and cultures beyond the classroom wall, ” Spanish teacher Mrs. Jeanne Nagel said.

Moreover, as eBooks and Kindles continue their climb to dominating the way in which people read, the English department can also can find them useful learning tools.

“There are some fantastic applications out there for a Chromebook,” English teacher Mrs. Teresa Colgan said. “From an English teacher’s perspective, you can write with your students in real time.”

The Chromebooks have many proven and theoretical applications serving social studies teachers as well.

“Chromebooks create more options for social studies classroom teachers, whether it be through simple applications like Google Docs or through more interactive tools like Peardeck,” AP Government and law teacher Mr. Daniel Bachman said.

Forging closer relationships between teachers and students is a major benefit in that it can create more time for individualized editing and revision, helping the student grow stronger in the process while helping teachers learn and promote optimal teaching methods.    

“….With all of these amazing sites, it’s a very exciting time in education regarding technology because applications are out there for teachers to interact with students and teach in a way that it effective and meaningful, which is great,” Mrs. Colgan said.

This technology contact in class agrees with students at the high school.

¨I think that that despite nearly constant but improving network malfunctions, the Chromebooks have a lot of potential,” junior Wendy Roque said who will be receiving a Chromebook for the first time during the 2016-2017 academic year .

When it comes to online learning, teachers control the assignment students complete, but completing it individually allows a student to explore varying avenues that diverge from the central assignment.  This type of thinking —once regarded as extraneous and unfocused— can help students discover a skill that they might want to pursue more or in a more rigorous manner.

Online learning makes individualized learning between the instructor and student a possibility.  More one-on-one communication with teachers can provide students with a customized plan for utilizing available resources.   

A more individualized education in secondary school would serve as a better preparatory school for higher education institutions, making American students afforded with this opportunity more competitive in the ever more cutthroat international job market.  

The recent recall of Chromebooks was one hitch in Massapequa’s overall plan for a more twenty first century-style learning experience.  According to Mr. Schilling, Executive Director for Assessment, Student Data & Technology Services, the recall was issued because “an internal component was heating up enough to cause melting of the back cover” of two Chromebooks.  These two Chromebooks were purchased at the same time, part of a larger order of 800 individual devices.  

As of now, Chromebooks were reassigned and the plans for increasing the number of people in the district with Chromebooks have not been altered.

All in all, the general reception of this technology in Massapequa seems overwhelmingly positive as a district.  Massapequa is moving towards twenty-first century learning methods and seems to be enjoying the transition as well.

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