Digital tools expand possibilities in the classroom – allowing students to access and share information as well as develop good digital habits, communicate with their peers and teachers, and they allow teachers to better assess their students’ knowledge. iMovie presentations and Spanish podcasts, as well as traditional reports and papers have all been used at Greene Street Friends School in the 2014-2015 academic year.

Thanks to a generous grant from the 25th Century Foundation, each member of the Class of 2017 received an iPad mini to use throughout the year. Increasing student ownership of a technology tool fits perfectly within the educational goals for the 6th grade, as well as their grade’s focus on responsibility and independence.

For example, this month, students researched and created presentations about Latin American countries. They presented directly from their iPads to the classroom projector. Immediately following each presentation, classmates took an online quiz on their individual iPads. In addition to being a creative way to actively engage students with the materials, the quizzes provide valuable feedback to the presenter and teacher about what topics will need more attention in future lessons.

For 6th grade teachers Becky McWilliams and Laura Good, the technology helps them give greater individual attention to all students. Students meet in small book clubs to discuss one of five reading options and record the ensuing conversation on an iPad. Becky and Laura can review the entirety of the audio later – rather than popping into each cluster for a few minutes – in order to ensure that every student participates and understands the topic.

In addition to class-wide projects and assignments, students are using their iPads for note-taking, file organization, and research. Dean of Middle School Kiri Harris notes that there is no greater tool for learning than to have so much information and access literally at students’ fingertips.

“The iPads give opportunities for each learner to express him or herself in so many creative ways. It adds to the many ways our Greene Street Friends School kids are able to make the learning their own,” says Kiri. “I feel like we are giving our kids the skills they will need for their future.”