This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Fletcher Hills Elementary Embraces Technology

Fletcher Hills Elementary incorporates iPods into classroom instruction with educational applications.

When Principal Tina Sardina first arrived at Fletcher Hills Elementary she told the staff that she wanted to integrate much more technology into classroom instruction.  This would not be an easy goal in times of budget cuts and instructional transition.

Undeterred, she put out a challenge to each grade level; present plans on how to use new technology with learning, and the best plan would win a major technology upgrade for their grade.  She followed up with a challenge to the Fletcher Hills Elementary PTA, help convince the parents to donate to fund the new plan.

Third grade teachers Annette Elhajj and Dana Bockstahler helped write their grade’s proposal and were both stunned and thrilled when they were selected.  The prize would be a full supply of iPod’s for each 3rd grade classroom.

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Principal Sardina admits that it was a tough sell to bring the parents on board to help fund the iPod purchase.  Most, understandably, thought of an iPod as little more than a music or video player.  Mrs. Sardina and the teachers hosted tech information nights where they demonstrated the many educational applications “apps” which can be downloaded and used on iPods.  Most of the apps are free and the rest have only nominal charges for download.

The parents were convinced and stepped forward to give generously to the PTA which then worked with the school to coordinate the equipment purchase.

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Now in their third year of use, the technology plan has been extended to include 5th and 6th grade with a further goal of 1st grade by the end of this year.

Mrs. Elhajj stated that one of the most useful functions is with reading and language fluency.  Students record themselves reading aloud and then play back to review and self correct.  This ties in very well with the La Mesa Spring Valley School District’s emphasis on improvements in reading scores.

Mrs. Bockstahler mentioned that the iPod’s are very powerful in math instruction and can also open new worlds to the children through individual online access to culture and geography.

The learning apps are carefully screened for both educational relevance and age appropriateness.  Online connection is equally monitored and controlled.

Both teachers emphasized that iPod use is a privilege and the students must show respect for the device and rules.  That said, the children are quick to understand and the school has had very few issues with damage or misuse.

Every child has their own personal favorite app, and the smiles across the classrooms confirmed how much they all enjoyed this kind of learning.  Math games, such as baseball or rocket ship math, were particularly popular with one girl proudly stating “You can pick easy or hard math…and I pick the hard math!”  Another student said “It helps you learn and it’s really fun!”

Reading apps were also well liked, as was a geography quiz app to teach the 50 US states, their capitals, and even the two letter state abbreviations.

As for Mrs. Sardina, her favorite app is one called “Presidents vs. Aliens”.  Which, despite it’s Hollywood title teaches facts about all the US presidents with a game reward of zapping alien invaders.

All schools in the La Mesa Spring Valley School District are now using higher levels of educational technology in the classroom, but Fletcher Hills Elementary hopes to continue to lead in innovative and creative use.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?