Portage Township Schools has been working to give their students more technology that provides each student with a personalized experience by giving the district multiple approaches to learning.
The learning is seen as personalized by having adaptive software, such as KHAN Academy or Study Island, available to students. Programs such as these allow the students to work at their own level and pace. Students who need to recover credits are able to take online courses personalized to their needs to do so.
“Technology allows for many modalities of learning to be applied through both visual and auditory,” Director of Innovative Learning Michael Depasquale said.
Depasquale stated that teachers are continuing to develop their curriculum to increase their use of technology in the classroom. Classrooms have been using Nearpod, Flipgrid, Turnitin, flipped video lessons, and more.
“Teachers have received professional development on newest techniques including working with Apple, looking at ways to bring higher order thinking to their learning, being creative, and creating videos with Clips, iMovie, and Keynote,” Depasquale said.
He said teachers have also been developing their content on Schoology, the district’s Learning Management System. The teachers meet with various coaches that give them support as they implement different activities involving technology.
“VR [virtual reality] kits exist in every school, and Augmented Reality is available directly through the iPads that the teachers and students have in their possession,” Depasquale said.
Our district is continuing to look at innovative practices to constantly meet the needs of all students, and we are fortunate to have the tools we need to achieve this.