2
S
tudents may notice new
technologically advanced
tools in their classrooms when they
return to school. Coding devices,
gaming systems, robotics equipment
and SMART Boards will enhance
numerous lessons throughout
2016-17, thanks to the Garland ISD
Education Foundation (GEF). The
nonprofit dedicated nearly half
of its 2015-16 grant budget to
21st-century-driven ingenuities,
helping to transform classrooms
across the district.
“Technology is a very critical piece
of education in today’s world,” said
GEF President Lisa Cox (below).
“The district has put a great deal
of emphasis on digital learning,
and it has done a very good job of
providing teachers with the tools
they need. Our mission is to support
Garland ISD’s initiatives and help
supplement those
efforts.”
connected
Fueling digital
classrooms
G
EF’s five-member grant
committee gifted
approximately $33,000 to teachers
to acquire innovative tools. Dot and
Dash Coding Robot packs, Ozobot
sets and Osmo systems are some
of the inventive materials teachers
applied for and received funds to
purchase.
“Ozobot is a fantastic new robot
that allows students to open new
doors into computer science and
STEM learning,” said Northlake
Elementary School second-grade
teacher Jill Olthouse. “Ozobot works
with special markers that allow
students to code using colored
lines and drawings. These skills not
only benefit the areas of math and
science, but also language arts and
social studies. Students have to
pay close attention to what code
they type, how to map out certain
obstacles and how to collaborate as
a team.”
At the secondary level, every
campus will introduce Sphero
Robotic Balls in the fall. GEF’s
first-ever $10,000 Innovation, Growth
and Imagination Grant sponsored
this roll out, spearheaded by Digital
Learning Facilitator Brian Dean.
“The ability to code,
or program computers, drives
innovation throughout the U.S. and
world, yet it remains largely absent
from public education,” Dean said.
“Sphero provides an engaging,
relevant and fun way for teachers to
promote computer science across
curriculum.”
A
Sphero robot is programmed
via a smartphone app or tablet,
enabling students to demonstrate
critical thinking, collaboration and
creativity. Secondary master teachers,
known as i3 members, will feature a
Sphero in their classrooms.
“These master teachers implement
forward-thinking strategies with their
students and serve as leaders and
ambassadors for 21st-century skills
at their campuses,” Dean explained.
“They are self-motivated and will
integrate the device into their
instruction. They will then share their
experience with colleagues, who
will be able to check out the robots
to use in their classrooms. Students
will make these robots do amazing
things.”
C
ox is grateful she is part of an
organization that can help
supply these educational tools sure
to revolutionize learning.
“We feel very strongly about
supporting technology in the
classroom. We need to prepare
students for the jobs and careers of
tomorrow—whether that be training
for teachers or helping with grants,”
she expressed. “Access to technology
increases students’ potential for
success. We are proud we can do our
part to help make that happen in
GISD.”