LOWER SCHOOL
Integrated Technology in STEAM and Lower School Instruction
CPA Lower School empowers teachers , students , and parents with technology to enhance and improve the learning / teaching experience . The challenges of the 2020-21 school year in regards to remote learning accommodation presented LS administration and Instructors Ian Mullins-Zugelder ( LS Tech Integrationist / Instructor of STEAM ) and Andrea Malloy ( LS Instructional Coach / Instructor of STEAM ) with a unique opportunity for growth .
“ We ’ ve been more intentional and more successful with integrating technology into the classroom this year than ever before . Faculty and staff who have increased their tech fluency this year have not only embraced integrating tech tools , but have attested that they ’ ll never go without them again ,” says Ian . “ We don ’ t just integrate tech for the sake of being ‘ techy .’ We want it to actually improve the lives of teachers and students .”
This year , Ian and Andrea used apps such as Seesaw Learning , Google Classroom , and Class Dojo . Seesaw provides a secure and user-friendly platform for students to submit their work to teachers and receive feedback . It even has voice / audio integration for prereaders . Parents are able to view their child ’ s Seesaw portfolio when projects are completed , a nice feature since classrooms were closed to parents this year . Class Dojo is a digital landing pad for students , a platform for class activities allowing them to create profiles , earn points , communicate with teachers , check in , etc . Teachers also share content to class stories , giving parents access to weekly highlights throughout the year . Google Classroom has been instrumental in uploading lessons , materials , lectures , homework , and other content for students and families .
While these tools help improve accessibility and efficiency for those learning remotely , they also provide valuable channels for teaching digital citizenship and healthy etiquette as students begin operating in online spaces . Beginning in fall 2021 , the 1:1 iPad to student ratio will extend to grades K-5 . Students will begin learning basics of email in 4th and 5th grade , having secure and monitored access to email others inside the @ cpalions domain .
“ In both Gmail and Seesaw , we review everything from the professional composition and tone of an email / message , to personal discretion and decision making . Responsible use is such a critical instinct for young students to develop as they learn to thrive in a digital world ,” states Ian .
STEAM curriculum combines elements of science , technology , engineering , art , and math to merge the creative and the technical . The lab is a place for students to explore and tinker at their own pace , a sort of respite from the rhythm of their classroom lessons . Students can be found designing and constructing their own putt-putt golf courses , dissecting owl pellets , coding their own video games , or even painting . One of Ian ’ s favorite projects centers on an artist he admires : Claes Oldenburg . Oldenburg is a Swedishborn American pop-art sculptor , best known for his giant soft sculptures of everyday objects . Ian likes Oldenburg because his art is accessible , recognizable , bright , and colorful , perfect for lower school students . His collection of giant food items inspired this particular assignment . Students used wetted toilet paper to form sculptures of their favorite meals , fruits , or vegetables . Then they painted the dried structures . The creative process began with sketches submitted via Seesaw and ended with photos of their completed masterpieces in the app . This showcased their progress in a tangible way , and allowed parents to join the experience .
The STEAM model of learning exemplifies how God has created each student , with vastly different strokes of skill , style , and insight , all working together to speak to a greater whole . By blending each stroke , a unique design appears , wonderful and one-of-a-kind .
26 PURPLE & GOLD 2020-21