Innovate to Educate Entry

Florida Virtual School

Sarah Sprinkel, Elementary Principal

What innovative technology initiative or project are you most proud of, and how has it improved teaching and learning in your school/district?

ClassTime is an innovative strategy that requires students and teachers to work as a class in a blended learning environment, online, twice a week. Students interact online by participating in class discussions, sharing, taking turns, answering questions and working as a class while the teacher provides required standards. Students are highly engaged in the learning activities because teachers are directly teaching them online using the engaging curriculum they created that provides many interactives. Whether students are voting, writing in the chat box or working in a break- out room with a small group, they are actively engaged in the learning process.

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What were some of the biggest challenges to your initiative, and how did you meet those challenges?

Establishing best practices for classroom delivery for elementary ages has evolved as teachers and students learn together. We purchased cameras, writing tools, and devices that help the teacher present everything from science experiments to providing discussion based assessments online. Students work alongside the teacher with a science experiment, read a novel or write and submit their assignments. The delivery model is online but the content is usually unchanged.

What are the three biggest components that need to be in place for tech innovation to succeed are:

	It is imperative that the attitude of teachers, staff, students and families are that this approach will work. However, it will take adjustments since it is a non-traditional delivery method.
	Adequate hardware and software are also necessary so the technology used is actually available to the users. Showing a video that students are not able to view does not work. Many alternatives have to be provided for students who have outdated access to technology.
	We will benefit from continued innovation to better involve students in the process since many platforms do not provide enough interactives for young students.

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