Suggestions for using Tech in the Classroom Each Day

SOME TIPS FOR USING YOUR DIGITAL DEVICES IN THE CLASSROOM

Currently there are several different pieces of technology in each of the PreK Classrooms and some others stored in what was the old principal’s office in that building.

All teachers are provided a laptop computer.  While this is to be used for communication with parents and for providing daily attendance data to the PreK program secretary, it is also to be used for connecting to the Projectors, Interactive Display Panels, Document/WEBcams, and Sound systems in the classroom.  By connecting the laptop to these other tech resources the teachers are able to do whole group instruction and make the instructional experience more interactive for the students.

Information on each of these other devices is provided in separate PDF documents on this Blog Site.  A separate document will also explain the use and maintenance of the other items below.

Classroom teachers as of the 2025-2026 School Year have the option of choosing what technology they wish to have in their classrooms and this will vary depending on the teacher.  Some tech resources previously used by teachers is now stored in the Tech Coordinator’s office and will be distributed at teacher request.  Other tech has been moved to the old 8th grade reading closet area and will be available upon request from the classroom teacher.

These other devices are meant for the following purposes:

The Flat Screen TV’s are all Smart TV’s and can be used as a backup to the Interactive Display Panels.  All TV’s can also be used for Streaming Service Content since they all connect to the Internet.  The DVD Players can be used for the Large Inventory of DVD’s available in the PreK Library area.  The CD players can be used for a collection of Children’s CD in the PreK Library area.  There is a small collection of Vinyl records that has been placed in the PreK 4B classroom with the turntable.  The Portable radios can be used for Radio Broadcasts for music channels, or for Public Radio Channels.   The Interactive Display Panels can be used for Interactive Educational Content stored on the Boards, and/or WEBinar streaming content, or other Internet Streaming Content.  All Content used by these boards and the Smart TV’s must be screened by the teacher and PreK director before use with the students.  Content Filtering is provided on the school’s wired and wireless network.

Not stored in the classrooms but stored in the old principal’s office are the tablet computers for classroom use.  A special tablet computer class is part of the regular Monday Schedule for all students.  A Tech/STEM class is scheduled for once a month on a Thursday.  The Tablets will contain a variety of educational content for the students to engage with.  Teachers may assign specific activities or allow the students to use an application of their choosing.  The Nook Tablets are being phased out and will be used primarily as backup devices.  The Samsung Tablets are primarily for use by the PreK 3 classroom.  The new ONN tablets are to be shared by the PreK 4A and PreK 4B classrooms.  For the Full Day students, I recommend the use of these tablets at least three times a week for no more than 15 minutes each time.  They should not be used before rest time after lunch but should be used either in the morning before dismissal or in the afternoon before dismissal for the full day students.  This will add to the instructional use of these devices and should be used to reinforce or enhance the students learning experiences. Please note that effective the 2025-2026 school year.  Student use of tablets will be limited to 15 minute segements in keeping with recommendations from the American Pediatric Association.  No more that two 15 segments should be used during the instructional day, unless it is part of a specific lesson plan approvied by the Program Director.

While not a part of the classrooms there are two digital displays in the PreK program building.  One is a large Digital Display in the Main Hallway area near the Program’s main entrance.  The other is a smaller display outside of the Secretary’s Office.   While these displays are primarily for displaying information for Parents and Visitors, I will be attaching a WEBcam to the large display so that the teachers may use this when doing their Show and Tell Activities in the Hallway area, or for other times when the hallway is being used for student activities.  That way all the students in the Hallway will be able to see what is going on more easily since it is a very long hallway.  The display outside of the secretary’s office will continue to be for Parent and Visitor Information when they are checking in and entering the building.