ith the installation of the
Situated Multimedia Arts
Learning Lab (SMALLab)—an
embodied learning environment
that allows for interactivity
within a learning module—
students who sign up for
animation courses at Seneca
Valley have been among the first students in the
country to use the program.
SMALLab is run by Seneca Valley School
District’s Denise Manganello and Ken Macek.
“SMALLab is an embodied learning environment
where students are up out of their seats, moving as
they learn,” says Manganello, Principal of Seneca
Valley Academy of Choice. “SMALLab integrates
ultra-precise motion-capture technology with an
immersive floor projection.”
The program was introduced to Seneca Valley
through the Innovation Station at CV Elementary
in Zelienople. The district continues to integrate
a Creativity, Innovation and Research Center
(CIRC) to every building. SMALLab mirrors the
philosophy of having students learn through innovation. “We
want to infuse technology into our classrooms and schools,”
explains Manganello. “This summer, we had an opportunity
to place a SMALLab into all of our elementary and middle
schools. This now allows all students to experience SMALLab
from kindergarten through 12th grade.”
SMALLab includes access to thousands of standards-
aligned activities for students in all grades. This allows the
teachers to focus on the infusion of technology and not the
timely creation of the technology. SMALLab increases the
number of student-to-student discussions during each session.
The program allows students to be immersed in learning
and doing while collaborating with their peers. Through
interactive motion-capture technology, students are moving
while learning. Using 12 infrared sensors and a marker set
comprised of three reflective markers, each of the 12 sensors
work simultaneously to track the user in physical space—
allowing each user/student to interact within a given scenario,
providing a hands-on/minds-on experience that allows
participants to become immersed in the learning experience.
SMALLab grows with the students to learn the intricacies of
how the modules work and to augment them to each class’
individual needs.
At the IHS, the students in grades 9 through 12 are able to
conduct motion capture sessions. The students write code
and then wear a bodysuit to create images similar to that in
a movie. “This program is unique, as we are the first in the
country to utilize the SMALLab motion capture animation
course,” explains Manganello. “Many schools are doing
animation on the computer screen—our students are taking it
to the next level.”
“This initiative has been a huge success and has provided
our students with the opportunity to experience motion
capture and animation at the high school level,” adds Macek,
who, as the high school’s Technology Education teacher,
attended weekly professional development meetings to
become prepared for class instruction.
Seneca Valley is no stranger to technology courses. During
his time at Seneca Valley, Macek has taught all blended and
asynchronous technology cyber courses that focus on 3D
Modeling and Animation, Computer Sciences and Game
Design/Programming.
“We offer over 40 Applied Technology courses for students
in grades 9 through 12, with additional computer science
courses instructed by our math teachers,” says Manganello.
“The district has a recommended computer science sequence
within our program of studies that helps families plan starting
in grade 6. We have created a new Introduction to Coding
and Arcade Game Design course to our 7/8 middle school to
ensure that students have the basics moving from K through
12 grade.”
Student response to SMALLab has been overwhelmingly
positive. “When students use this space for the first time, they
are all amazed and interact with each other on the same level,
ensuring students are actively involved in each lesson held
in the SMALLab classroom,” says Macek. “Also, I’ve noticed
when activities are completed in the SMALLab, content is
retained at a much deeper level, and students are able to make
higher-level connections during the activities.” ■
CRANBERRY ❘ FALL 2018
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