Posted on 20 April 2013 by La Habra Journal
By Jay Seidel
La Habra Journal
In a room filled with educators looking for the next big thing in classroom technology at a state, four students from Washington Middle School captivated the teachers’ attention as they explained how they put together their iPad-based presentation. The students, part of Teri Jackson’s class, demonstrated the process in which they used to research, create and present their class project titled The Voice(thread) of Islam” The students explained to the teachers how they used Keynote and Voicethread for their multimedia presentation.
Jackson explained that it was about the collaborative process. “They took Cornell notes and then made it on Keynote and added their voice to the program,” she said. “Then they critiqued each other’s slides and then they put it on the cloud and that’s where I could pick it up and give my comments.”
The presentation took place in Palm Springs on March 14-16 at the State Student Technology Showcase. in front of more than 4,000 attendees.
The students, Nina Aguirre, Kasandra Lagos, Vanessa Morales and Betsy Nunez had given their presentation at the Orange County Computer-Using Educators conference and were asked to present at the statewide conference.
When asked if they were nervous presenting to teachers at the state conference, Morales was quick to explain, “we were kind of used to it by then.”
Washington Middle School Principal Mario Carlos explained how the concept of the students presenting to the educators helps to empower them, which prepares them for success in the future.
The project itself and the use of technology is something that helps strengthen the skills for today’s students.
“It’s the three Cs,” she explained. “Collaboration, communication and critical thinking; that’s what is needed for these 21st Century learners.”
Without skipping a beat, the students are already working on their next collaborative multimedia project and that the experience of teaching teachers is something that will stay with them thought the process.
“It’s great to see that students from La Habra are recognized for their hard work,” Carlos explained. “It’s something great that benefits the community, the school and definitely the students who presented.”