Summer learning goes high-tech at New Haven's Amistad Academy (videos)
NEW HAVEN -- Using laptops and wireless tablets, second- through fourth-grade city students are building reading and math skills through new intelligent digital learning software.
The program launched at Amistad Academy Elementary School with 17 students from traditionally underserved communities. The four-week pilot program at the charter school, run by Achievement First, combines individual computer work and small group instruction.
"What's so unique about this program we are piloting is it's a design to use computers to help students work independently and accountably on their own for reading and math achievement," said Dan Cogan-Drew, director of the digital learning program.
"The goal is to work with second to fourth grade students who are slightly below their grade level in reading and math to help them avoid the summer slide," Cogan-Drew added.
The students are each given Sprint 3G wireless devices called ZTE Optik tablets to use on the bus ride to and from the summer academy to allow students to gain two additional hours of digital time beyond the classroom," according to a statement.
The tablets were purchased through a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant.
"Students use the devices to access Myon.com, which connects students with an online digital library and allows the students to take quizzes and write book reviews. The DreamBox learning connects students with interactive math games and themes," the statement said.
"The program for me is really exciting, it's like a whole new school for me using the computer," said Amarie Boone, 10, a fourth-grader at the school. "I'm really having fun, I'm learning more about reading because I struggle with it."
Eight-year-old Angel Galarza's "struggle" subject is math.
"I'm learning how to add, subtract, and use timelines. When I go back to school I know I will be much more prepared," Angel said.
As another component of the summer program, the students participate in small group lessons and continue learning on the Myon.com and DreamBox by using their laptops.
"The laptops are very nice, I'm learning math, division and multiplications with higher numbers," said Brithny Gomer, 8.
"I'm getting better with my reading and the computer tells us the answer when we get it right or wrong," she said.
Cogan-Drew said "We are seeing software where the software is more engaging with students and more intelligent.
"This allows us to expand the modality that we use so we can think about what teachers and the software are good at and to create a blended environment," he said.
Thomas Arnett, an education pioneer fellow and master's in business administration candidate at Carnegie Mellon University who is teaching the pilot program, said he has been a regular school teacher before and it has been a neat experience to be a part of a new model.
"It's neat to see how you can redesign how the classroom works to make it better for students using the technology we have," said Arnett.
"Seeing the individual attention that students are able to get from the teacher and also the individual focus that's enhanced by using the technology is pretty amazing," he said.