Linden’s School No. 6 and School No. 8, which are both designated Apple Distinguished Schools, hosted a contingent of educators on Tuesday to show how they incorporate Apple technology into their classrooms.
According to a statement released by Linden school officials, administrators and teachers from other Linden elementary schools; visitors from the Plainfield, Nutley and Neptune school districts; and representatives from Apple toured classrooms in both schools to watch teachers use MacBook Air and iPad devices to enhance their lessons and activities.
Officials say the morning started at School No. 8, which highlighted the school’s Channel 8 Student News Network by showing guests the latest episode. The student-run show is recorded twice a week in the Student Vanguard studio using iPads and broadcast during morning announcements.
The day was capped off at School No. 6 with a question-and-answer period with a panel of fifth-graders answering questions from their guests. They talked about their favorite uses of technology in the classroom and what they would do to learn if classroom technology suddenly vanished.
They also assured everyone that they spend a lot of time in class away from technology, using more traditional learning methods such as books and pencil and paper.
Both schools were recognized last school year as Apple Distinguished Schools for 2017-2019 for their continuous innovation in teaching with technology.
“School No. 6 and School No. 8 are great examples of the amazing things our teachers throughout the district are doing with technology,” said Superintendent Danny A. Robertozzi. “Thanks to the Apple Distinguished Schools program, they can collaborate with their colleagues, as well as visitors from other districts, in a way that raises the game of all of our schools.”
According to officials, the uses for technology that were on display for the tours included reading a story on an iPad then answering questions about it, researching biographies online then using devices to write and design reports, using a large-screen display to discuss famous African-Americans and to see alternative ways of solving a math problem, using a large screen to lead Pre-K students in an exercise program, and using QR codes to call up more information about hallway displays.
Official say Linden’s Technology One-to-One initiative is key to the success of students at all Linden Public Schools, and Schools No. 6 and 8 are models of that success. Each student in the district is provided with their own MacBook Air or iPad, and technology is infused into the curriculum in math, language arts, social studies and science at all grade levels.
Photo captions
Apple1: Adrien Williams, a third-grader at School No. 6 in Linden, showing a presentation he created about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to visitors to his classroom on March 12. The tour was part of School No. 6’s inclusion in the Apple Distinguished Schools program.
Apple2: David Kozyra, a first-grader at School No. 8 in Linden, discussing a story he was reading on his iPad with a visitor to his classroom on March 12. The tour was part of School No. 8’s inclusion in the Apple Distinguished Schools program.
Apple3: School No. 8 technology teacher Kim Marie Kefalas talking about her curriculum with visiting educators from other school districts.
Apple4: School No. 6 Principal William Mastriano introducing a panel discussion about technology in the classroom led by fifth-graders at the school.