Dec 012012
by Greta Gize Olbrich, Barron Park School PTA President
Not everybody’s aware that Barron Park School is a special place. But apparently someone at MIT Technology Review got wind of this and is now singing Barron Park’s praises! Barron Park School was highlighted in an MIT Technology Review article for its use of technology at the school. Every fifth-grader at Barron Park has been issued an iPad to use for classroom work such as math problems, making videos, and other core curricula. Barron Park is the first elementary school in PAUSD to pilot this program allowing each student to bring an iPad home to complete homework assignments. PAUSD hopes to roll this program out to all elementary 5th grades, but as of now, it’s unique to Barron Park School.
“It’s simply amazing to see the level of engagement and excitement with the children,” says Barron Park’s Educational technology teacher Smita Kolhatkar.Tablet computers are growing in use in K-12 schools with the spread of digital text books and plethora of free educational software. Kolhatkar is Barron Park’s Ed Tech TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment), and she’s not just for the 5th grade classes. She spends time in each grade level room on a weekly basis, using technology as part of the instructional materials. She also leads a SCRATCH club, where students create their own interactive games, videos, music, art, etc. This extremely popular club is open for 3rd-5th graders and meets Mondays/Wednesday at lunch.
To read full MIT Technology Review article, click on the link: Tablet Makers Pursue Public Schools.