Technology
brings native animals into classroom
Monday, October 31, 2005 • By
KAT MAIN • The Express-Times
ALLAMUCHY TWP. -- Lindsay Johnson didn't
want her fourth-graders to learn about animals by reading a
boring textbook.
She wanted them to have a different and
fun experience.
"I thought it would be interesting to
implement technology (into the lesson)," said the
25-year-old teacher at Allamuchy Elementary
School.
Then the idea of using PowerPoint to
create a field guide of native animals came to
her.
"Most of the students want to be vets
when they grow up, they thrived on the project," Johnson
said.
The project began in September with each
of her 31 science students researching their own assigned
indigenous animal.
Johnson said she provided the kids with a
questionnaire they had to fill out that dealt with different
aspects of the animal's daily lives and
evolutions.
"I thought it was a really fun activity.
It was a good experience to learn about different kinds of
animals where we live. It was really fun to learn about
their habitats," said Julia, 9, a fourth-grader in Johnson's
class.
After the research segment of the project
was completed, the kids set to work putting on the
information on PowerPoint slides.
Breanna, 9, who's also a member of
Johnson's class said, "I really liked doing the PowerPoint
presentation we got to play with the program and do slide
shows and changed pictures colors. It was really enjoyable
and excellent."
Johnson said she was surprised at how
quickly the children grasped the computer program. "You
should see them whipping around on the program, they pick
things up so quickly," she said.
At the end of the project, the children
performed a self-assessment on their projects.
The assessment's categories included
layout of presentation, graphics, sound and animation,
writing mechanics, research, note taking and
content.
"It was a great success," said Johnson,
"the students were really excited and took it very
seriously, it took a lot of effort on their
part."
Johnson said the project was also a
success because it reached every kind of learner in her
class. Kids who learn visually, by hearing or by touch all
got hands-on experience, she added.
The guide, only one has been printed, was
available last week to parents during parent/teacher
conferences.
Johnson said the kids are extremely
excited about showing off their work.
"Their eyes were glowing when they were
talking about presenting (the book)," Johnson
said.
School Principal Seth Cohen said
technology is a huge focus of the elementary school's
curriculum.
In the classroom, phonic ears are
available to children where the teacher speaks into a
microphone that is transmitted into headphones kids can
wear.
Cohen said they've also implemented
interactive whiteboards called "smart boards," where a
laptop is hooked up to a projector and teachers can use the
board like a computer screen.
"Every teacher has a laptop at their
disposal," said Cohen. The principal also said one of the
school's goals is to integrate digital cameras in
educational activities.
"There's a heavy technology focus here,
we've been very fortunate. It's wonderful," said
Cohen.
Reporter Kat Main can be reached at 908-475-8044 or by
e-mail at kmain@express-times.com.
© 2005 The Express-Times. Used with
permission.
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