Huntington Foundation Funds
iPad 2 Integration
Teachers across the country are finding educational uses for the iPad, Apple's popular tablet. The Huntington Foundation awarded a grant to Flower Hill School teachers Veronica Quinlan and Danielle Nolan for an iPad 2, a dock and adapter and a cover for the device, which was integrated with a SMART board by the faculty members.
"Danielle and I teach inn an integrated, co-teaching, third grade classroom," Ms. Quinlan said. "We were fortunate to be given a SMART board for use in our classroom last year and the addition of this technology added invaluable teaching opportunities. Through this enhanced technology we download textbook pages, notes, educational games, pieces of students' writing and videos pertinent to the third grade curriculum."
The Huntington Foundation has a long history of supporting technological innovations in district classrooms. "When properly applied, technology allows learning to be interactive, motivating and fun," Ms. Quinlan said. "Our children are becoming students of the 21st century. To this end, we must become teachers of the 21st century and [we] hope to introduce the use of tablets in the classroom."
The Huntington Foundation awarded thousands of dollars in grants during the 2011/12 school year, including a $710 grant to the two Flower Hill teachers. "As Danielle and I address the multiple needs of an increasingly diverse population, it is imperative that we continually strive to enhance the classroom experience and meet the needs of our students," Ms. Quinlan said. "Tablets help provide the struggling writer the opportunity to write with less apprehension. This tool is motivational and helps eliminate the concern of putting of the physical anxiety of putting pencil to paper."
Since its founding in 1993, the Huntington Foundation has contributed more than $750,000 to the district through its mini-grant and Star grant programs. The organization holds an annual fundraising gala every January. The event is open to the public and features the presentation of the Huntington Foundation's annual Spirit Award to a deserving recipient.
Ms. Quinlan is sold on the value of using tablets in the classroom. "As students use the tablet, editing is taught and completed with ease," she said. The students correct their work with a finger swipe, which helps reduce the fear of making mistakes. This allows greater self-confidence and the willingness to continue writing. Many tablets have numerous educational applications that are beneficial to all learners, including books on many reading levels, interactive maps, science experiments and access to classrooms around the globe."
The two Flower Hill teachers want to use the tablet with the SMART board "so the students can actively write on the tablet and have it appear simultaneously on the board," Ms. Quinlan said. "This allows for immediate editing, group input and active learning."
The teachers also plan to use their tablets to compute reading surveys, record data and collect anecdotal notes. "The information gathered can be graphed and used to further the educational needs of all the students," Ms. Quinlan said. "As teachers, we need to move from a teacher-centered environment to a student-inquiring and problem solving classroom. The teacher's role is to inspire, motivate and create ways to enhance learning."