MS/US Technology Integration
How is your student using technology at Brook Hill?
Dear Brook Hill Parents,
The 2014-15 school year started with a whirlwind of activity surrounding Brook Hill's commitment to move forward with technology integration in the Middle/Upper School!
We implemented a new computer lab, launched the art Mac lab, added laptops to the Physics and Biology classrooms and installed document cameras in all of our MS/US Math & Science classes.
Whew! That's a lot to pack into the 1st semester, much less one newsletter, but I wanted to take a moment and brag on our teachers and staff as they have all been working hard to find engaging ways to use technology in your students' classrooms! So here is a quick look at some of the highlights from last semester!
(Be sure to read on down to the end for a sneak peak at what's coming this semester!)
Sincerely,
Georgia Cameron
Technology Integration Specialist
HUMANITIES
Middle and Upper School Humanities teachers played a key role in advancing our technology efforts by bringing each student, grades 6-12, to the lab this semester! Students created passwords for both their Brook Hill and RenWeb accounts, then had to chance to login and see their new accounts in action.
Throughout this semester, we have seen MS & US Humanities teachers visiting the lab with their students for technology related curriculum.
Brook Hill students set up accounts in new computer lab!
Upon visiting the new computer lab with their Humanities instructors, each 6-12 grade student went over Brook Hill's Acceptable Use Policy and set up both their Brook Hill and Student RenWeb usernames and passwords.
Touring RenWeb & Brook Hill's Online Library
Humanities students visited the lab for a lesson on how to utilize many of the tools and resources within RenWeb. Students learned how to check their grades and where to locate homework assignments and resources, and how to submit assignments online through RenWeb's Homework Drop feature.
During their visit, students took a tour of the online library and the vast array of research tools and resources provided to them exclusively by The Brook Hill School.
Seniors wrap up Senior Seminar in the new computer lab!
MATHEMATICS
BUDGETS, TECHNOLOGY, AND MATH
Mrs. Mize's math students completed a project where they were required to record debits and credits for a pretend month.
IN CLASS: Each student received an allowance or had a job paying minimum wage and had to pick from a list of expenses or activities to participate in each month such as going to the movies or purchasing a shirt, etc.
IN THE LAB: After the students completed a rough draft of their spending habits, Mrs. Mize took the group to the computer lab and partnered with Ms. Cameron to show the students how Microsoft Excel can help with calculating and formatting their budget. The students learned how Excel adds and subtracts an integer which is a skill they have been learning about in class. With the help of Ms. Cameron and Mrs. Mize, the students learned how to type a formula in Excel that represented an equation for keeping track of the student’s overall balance at any given time within the month. The students also learned many shortcuts to formatting numbers and symbols.
“I had a great time watching the students use a math skill taught in class, applying it to a real life situation, and watching them learn how to use a technology to simplify and organize. I think they walked away with a confidence in technology and mathematical operations and a desire to learn more!” said Mrs. Mize.
HOW DOES YOUR MATH STACK UP (OREO STYLE)?
Mrs. Mize's students brought packages of Oreos for an ultimate Oreo stacking contest.
IN CLASS: The students had three attempts each to see how many Oreos they could stack before their tower fell. They recorded their results individually and on a class-shared spreadsheet.
IN THE LAB: The students headed over to the computer lab to use their data findings with the aid of technology to draw conclusions on their experiment. With the help of Ms. Cameron, the students learned how to digitally record their data, use functions such as auto sum and sort in order to find the mean, median, mode, and range of the data. To tie it all together, the students watched as a chart graphically displayed their results as they typed the numbers in to give a visual of the data findings.
“The students were able to see how much technology can aid experiments by instantly calculating the mean, median, mode, and range, and also how quickly a program like Microsoft Excel can sort data. The visual gave a tangible meaning to the experiment and the story the data had to tell,” said Mrs. Mize. “This was a very practical and fun way to learn how statistics play a part in our everyday lives.”
LEASING A CAR TO TEACH MATH?
Jessica Mize taught a real-life math lesson to her 7th graders using Excel so that they could see first-hand the real numbers to leasing a car!
IN CLASS: Students were allowed to chose any vehicle they wanted (yep--even that Lamborghini) and were required to research the cost of the vehicle, interest rates, lease terms as well as cost of maintenance and insurance.
IN THE LAB: Using Excel, Mrs. Mize & Mrs. Cameron helped the students build their own spreadsheets to compare leasing vs buying on their selected vehicle. Questions became very personal, and enthusiasm for learning was evidenced by all hands on tasks and minds engaged! Students were throwing out jargon like ” You have to add the MSRP” and ” overage formulas” as if they were discussing lunch options! Through it all, students were able to see how much a car really costs.
Learning Life Skills in the Computer Lab
Could you run a zoo? Mrs. Mize’s 7th grade students combined their knowledge of positive & negative numbers to connect revenue and expense dollars to see if their zoo would be a profitable business.
IN CLASS: Students set ticket prices for members and non-members as well as created a list of expenses that a zoo might incur such as refunds, coupons and miscellaneous expenses.
IN THE LAB: The students used the figures gathered in class to build a daily profitability spreadsheet in Excel. They created their own formulas for calculating total sales, total expenses, and total revenue for any given day. They also learned important Excel features like formatting cells to reflect dollar amounts and negative dollar amounts, creating borders, and highlighting relevant information. Last, Mrs. Mize and Ms. Cameron gave the students different scenarios to enter in after their formulas were created. The students were amazed to watch Excel re-calculate for them based on the formula created. They were also in awe at the affect it had on the total sales for the day, both positively and negatively.
AT HOME: To apply their new found knowledge of integers and technology, the students were assigned to make their own report to turn in at a later time.
Mrs. Mize said, “This was a perfect project to show the students how a math skill such as adding and subtracting integers can be applied to a real world situation, and how technology integration can make that application easier. I had so much fun watching the kids manipulate a computer technology that partnered with our learning objective.”
SCIENCE
Power Points instead of posters!
Mrs. Brunson put a new spin on an annual project where students took on the role as a travel agency to sell a trip to a given "biome" (geographical/climate regions of the earth, consisting of communities of plants, animals and organisms).
IN CLASS: Students were divided into groups and assigned roles in researching a specific biome. Roles consisted of: Geographer, Botanist, Zoologist, and Meteorologist, each with their own unique items to research from that role's given perspective. They used class materials and were given an opportunity to visit the campus library. For homework they utilized the online library to finish their research.
IN THE LAB: Students worked in their groups to combine their research and create a PowerPoint presentation about their biome where the goal was to entice their classmates to visit that particular biome. Students utilized our new computer lab to collaborate on their projects together.
Microscopes and Promethean Boards
"This is a great tool for viewing real time movement of chloroplast, response to plant cells placed in hyper and hypo tonic solutions. When connected to a dissecting scope students can watch dissections, get a detailed view of flower structures or watch the movements of small invertebrates", Mrs. Brunson said.
Technology Integration using laptops!
In light of recent lessons about motion, AP Physics 1 is using motion sensors to track their position as it varies with time. Working as a team, each lab group tried to match a graph of position vs. time by telling their lab partner when to walk quickly or slowly and forward or backward. This lab helped students see how the formulas and theories they’re learning in class apply to real problems and situations. We believe that experiences like this help students grasp and remember concepts for the long term!
BH unveils MS/US Teachers YouTube channel!
The Brook Hill Teachers YouTube Channel has been created as a part of Brook Hill's mission to actively integrate technology into curriculum and enable students access to lessons and resources outside of the classroom. This is especially helpful for students that miss class or students needing to review a concept from home! Each video is basically a tutorial that can be viewed as many times as needed! Mrs. McEuen, Coach Agnew, and Mrs. Mize have already posted videos! Check it out!
Apps and Tech Tips
Create a website shortcut on Android devices
Create a website shortcut on iPhones & iPads
Use your smart phone as a remote
Is your child's teacher using Remind?
Beginning this Semester!
MOODLE INTEGRATION ROLL-OUT!
Monday, Jan 12, 2015, 08:00 AM
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"Moodle for Parents" Workshop
- Tuesday, January 20, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 21, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
To register, visit our signup site at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0948AAA829A6FF2-moodle.
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015, 06:30 PM
Brook Hill School, North Houston Street, Bullard, TX, United States
Georgia Cameron
Technology Integration Specialist
The Brook Hill School
Email: gcameron@brookhill.org
Website: www.brookhill.org
Location: 1051 N Houston St, Bullard, TX, United States
Phone: (903) 894-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brookhillschool
Twitter: @BH_School