Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

Superstition Springs Elementary leverages teacher’s vision to design high-tech classrooms

Based on a technology grant submission by first grade teacher, Valerie Gresser, Superstition Springs Elementary School was able to outfit one of its classrooms with high-tech gear, including NEC’s NP400 projector.
Based on a technology grant submission by first grade teacher, Valerie Gresser, Superstition Springs Elementary School was able to outfit one of its classrooms with high-tech gear, including NEC’s NP400 projector.

When Scottsdale, Ariz.-based CCS Presentation Systems offered a $20,000 technology grant for teachers to design their ideal classroom, first grade teacher Valerie Gresser of Superstition Springs Elementary School saw an opportunity to realize her vision for a 21st century learning environment. With the support of school principal Patty Rogers, Gresser submitted a winning proposal that ushered in new teaching techniques at the school.

Superstition Springs Elementary is a K-6 school of 840 students and is part of Gilbert Public Schools. The school opened in 1995 and has earned the highest rank of “Excelling” from the Arizona Department of Education for its student-centered learning environment and academic excellence. Gilbert Public Schools serves 35,000 students with its 41 schools.

The challenge…Read More

Technology adds to students’ math comprehension

Research found that the use of interactive whiteboards, similar to the INTERWRITE Mobi, to teach math can increase student achievement.
Research suggests the use of tools that enhance visual learning, such as the INTERWRITE Mobi, can help students learn math.

Recent studies from two different continents point to the value of education technology in helping students grasp important yet abstract math concepts—and in both studies, animations that allow students to visualize these concepts were central to the results.

In one research project, the use of interactive whiteboards to teach math in several schools in Great Britain was found to have a positive effect on student learning, according to a three-year study conducted by researchers at Lancaster University.

In the other project, software that takes a visual approach to teaching math contributed to double-digit gains in the test scores of several Orange County, Calif., elementary students.…Read More