Teachers present program at conference

Oceanside Middle School educators recently made a presentation at the Association for Middle Level Educators national conference that highlighted the school’s implementation of iPads.

The presentation reflected the school’s three-year journey to creating a curriculum for using new technology in the classroom, including a pre-planning and research phase, a pilot phase and then full implementation. Social studies teacher Joe Kachuba, special education teacher Eric Van Eron, math teacher Dan Art and ELA teacher Evelyn Piniero all participated in the presentation at the annual AMLE conference in Nashville on early November. Assistant principal Dan Keegan and school psychologist Kristin Lamparello were also instrumental in writing the proposal to AMLE.

The teachers shared their experiences with moving to a one-to-one computing model and facilitating a digital learning environment to beyond and implementing various iPad applications, which allow students to produce and create evidence of learning, said principal Allison Glickman-Rogers.

“We were able to share the unique perspective of a special educator and iPads have assisted our special education students in further accessing the curriculum and demonstrating their knowledge and skills in various ways,” she said.

Oceanside Middle School responded to AMLE’s call for presentations for the conference, which was held from Nov. 6 -8, with a program called “Creating a Digital Learning Environment.” After submitting a proposal and undergoing a rigorous selection process, Oceanside Middle School faculty members were invited to present at the national conference. The goal was to “share our journey into the 21st Century, by documenting the process of implementing a 1:1 computing model for all students and staff, a model that extends learning beyond the classroom walls, promotes independence, creativity, and collaboration through a student-centered learning approach.“