December 2007 — Special Feature
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THE Journal's 2007 Innovators : 5
Christine Young, Stephanie Branson, and Alan David
Spalding Drive Charter Elementary School (GA)
What technology-supported, project-based learning strategies
can be leveraged to engage Title I students and provide adequate
support to English language learners? A couple of years
ago, educators at Spalding Drive Charter Elementary
School in Sandy Springs, GA, asked themselves this very
question, and after much effort came up with an answer. Under the leadership of Principal Christine Young, IT specialist
Alan David, and technology teacher Stephanie Branson, the
Spalding Drive Digital Studio was born.
"The program began with a few digital cameras, printers, and printing supplies purchased through a Best Buy Teach Award grant," David says. In 2006-2007, a Technology for Teaching grant from Hewlett-Packard made additional equipment available to school staff. Charter school funding and Spalding Charter School Foundation fundraisers enabled the school to purchase 28 interactive whiteboards, 30 projection devices, six mini-DV cameras, and a good stock of digital still cameras and photo printers. Along with outfitting individual classrooms, equipment was used to create a mobile digital imaging lab.
Thanks to these efforts, students and faculty regularly use video production, digital imaging, and video streaming to enrich and enliven their lessons. Typical student activities include using digital photography and video cameras to document work, create portfolios, and create visual projects for presentations that showcase their learning, while teachers use images and video clips to capture students' attention and illustrate complex concepts for English language learners. In addition, fourth- and fifth-grade students produce a weekly television program that is broadcast to the entire school, and participate in technology mini-courses, such as web page design and podcasting.
"The Digital Studio program is resulting in a number of benefits, such as students' taking increased ownership of their education and learning to work collaboratively," says David, adding that students are demonstrating noticeable improvement in concrete subject matter as well. "We are seeing growth in students' academic skills in writing, language arts, and oral communication."
To garner even more support for technology initiatives and community endeavors, increased parent participation is a priority this year. By attending Spalding's Parent University, a weekly series of workshops designed to teach parents about supporting their children's schoolwork, parents have opportunities to try out the innovations and see what they can do to improve their kids' academic performance and motivation.
