February 19, 2018
By: Beth Hatlen co-author of the k-2 NOW Classrooms: lessons for enhancing teaching and learning through technology book
Working in a 1:1 District and having my own children that attend the same district gives me the unique opportunity to celebrate when teachers have incorporated authentic and natural integration of technology in a meaningful way through education.
Last week, our family sat down to watch the opening ceremony of the 2018 Olympics. My children were amazed with what what they saw. Their excitement was partly due to what they had been learning in school. My first grader came home telling me all about bobsledding and the rules of skeleton. I looked at him in shock as I said, “Where did you learn that?” At school, of course was his answer. All week he had been studying and reading online and in print all about the Olympics. Additionally, my third grader had been doing the same thing. Of course learning about the Olympics was great, but that wasn’t what really impressed me. 
As we sat watching the Olympics, my daughter sat on her iPad. I asked her to put it away and watch the Olympics with us (I figured she was watching KidsTube), but I was pleasantly surprised when she told me that she was creating a presentation for her class about the Olympics. I knew this was something she was capable of, but when she was creating a presentation as the Olympics played on in the background, I was a proud mommy and delighted at what my child had been taught by her teacher. She also didn’t stop there. She immediately shared the presentation with us and also emailed her teach that Friday night to ask her if she could present it to the class. With delight, she presented that Monday as the introduction to a unit about the Olympics.
What this example showed me, was that what my daughter is learning in her classroom, is #NOWClassrooms approved. She took interest in a topic, learned how to research, created a Powerpoint presentation, learned new information and presented it to her class. Her sense of pride was huge and her excitement to present what she created was genuine.
This is what we hope will happen in all classrooms across America. The ability to create and share learning with peers. The ability to deepen knowledge of a subject and share it with others. When students are taught how to use technology in a meaningful way, that is what they will do, both at home and at school, and hopefully in their future as a contributing member of society. I am so thrilled that my children have teachers that uphold all the NOWClassroom ideals. I feel lucky! Keep up the good work teachers!
Here is presentation my daughter created (not perfect-but kid work she was proud of!): https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LEEwgQ87B9XV9dxHm1d87fgj-TlsULtO
@MrsHatlen
