Developing lifelong learners

Overview

Riverbend Elementary School, located in Springfield, Oregon is a high-poverty school with a student population of 500. Eva LaMar serves dual roles as the school’s technology integration specialist and a 3rd grade teacher. As the technology integration specialist, Eva is responsible for implementing new and existing technologies effectively, and sharing best practices with her peers. As an educator, Eva’s limited resources and classroom of special needs students challenges performance to meet increasing academic standards.

The challenge

At the end of the school day, many of Eva’s students go home to unstable family environments that are afflicted with drug use, poverty and neglect. The emotional support and structure that her students so desperately need is often lacking at home. Eva explains, “Many of my students’ parents did not complete high school. The parents struggle with providing a structured environment that helps their children finish their homework or get enough sleep.” She continues, “Several of my students have severe behavioral disorders. Since their parents have not set up or enforced clear rules at home, it is not surprising that those students act out in the classroom. My students are often so angry at life that they can hardly function in school.”

Another challenge that Eva faces is the school district’s focus on high-stakes standardized tests that are written far above her students’ reading level. Eva says, “Some of my students can’t read due to severe learning disabilities. How will they build self-confidence when they are required to take three online reading and math state assessments each year? And, how do I stay enthused and motivated as a teacher when the resources I have aren’t working?” She continues, “An overhead projector and transparencies simply do not provide the interactive opportunities needed to engage my students. When you only have access to a laptop for two hours a week, it is nearly impossible to teach a classroom full of digital natives.” Combine disinterested, behaviorally challenged students with limited resources and rising standards, and the potential for teacher burnout significantly increases.

The solution

Since Riverbend Elementary is faced with limited funding, the staff was focused on finding a solution that was cost-efficient and simple to implement. With the eno click interactive whiteboard schools can utilize on-site resources immediate installation—during the school day—versus having to schedule and wait for costly contractors. Another factor needing consideration was the durability of the board. They were intent on finding a solution that would stand the test of time, despite daily use in the toughest of classroom settings. The staff felt confident about partnering with PolyVision when they learned that eno click’s Forever Warranty™ ensures the board’s e3 environmental ceramicsteel™ surface  will last a lifetime.

Eva decided to use her classroom as a pilot for PolyVision’s interactive technology. Her classroom is equipped with an eno click interactive whiteboard with RM Easiteach^® software and a Qwizdom^® student response system.

The benefits

When eno click was installed in Eva’s classroom, she was intrigued by the physical simplicity of the technology. By simply magnetically attaching eno click to the existing whiteboard within minutes, the solution is cordless and wireless, creating a safe learning environment that is free of cables. eno click enables students with physical disabilities and behavioral problems to successfully interact with the board without worry of tripping, falling, or getting tangled up in wires. Eva was also impressed by eno click’s durability. She says, “eno click is as indestructible as any dry-erase whiteboard. The board’s ability to endure the continuous wear and tear of classroom use is an important feature because it allows my students to explore without restriction.” She continues, “Since we only have one eno click in our school, the board’s mobility is also a key feature. eno click can easily be lifted from an existing chalk or dry-erase board and quickly moved from room to room. With limited resources, this ability to share technology is a huge benefit.”

Unlike other interactive whiteboards, eno click effectively provides three boards in one—traditional dry-erase board, magnetic surface and interactive whiteboard. Eva and her students can transition easily from writing on the board with markers to attaching documents with magnets to interacting with multimedia, without fear of damaging the surface. “The power of eno click lies in the versatility. I can utilize RM Easiteach’s dynamic interface to personalize the learning process based on the various needs of my students. The ability to customize lessons enables me to connect with an entire class of different types of learners at one time.”

To make learning more engaging for the video game generation of students in her class, Eva uses eno click to integrate interactive web 2.0 tools and applications into lessons. With Google Lit Trips, she takes her students on virtual expeditions that pair the exploration of geography with literature. By bringing text to life in full-color imagery, students are better able to visualize the characters and settings of stories. Eva finds that students who were intimidated by reading assignments have a renewed excitement towards literature now that they can interact with it. She said, “We are experimenting with a variety of ways to share interactive learning experiences with eno click. Our class is currently working on a global collaborative project, ‘Salmon in Peril’, with a Canadian school by video chatting, screen sharing presentations and utilizing collaborative writing tools.” Eva continues, “The ability to share video and images on-demand with a class located in another country is exciting. Students can lead small groups and interact with one another to accomplish a goal. Self-confidence is improving as students gain ownership of their projects.” 

Eva has noticed a drastic change in her students’ behavior since implementing eno click in her classroom. She says, “When I begin teaching a lesson using eno click, my students sit up straight and some even lean over their desks toward the board. Rather than passively listening, they want to play an active role in the learning process.” Eva continues, “The student response system has encouraged even the most reluctant students to eagerly participate in activities with their peers. Students who used to act out because they did not understand lesson content are now volunteering to create and help teach interactive activities.”

Eva is confident that her students’ renewed desire to interact with lessons will evolve into a lifelong passion for learning. She concludes, “When students have the drive to explore, take chances and learn alongside their teacher, they are learners by choice. It is extremely motivating to watch my students develop a thirst for knowledge when using eno click. That is the main reason why I became a teacher—to share the love of learning.”

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