In today’s rapidly advancing world, elementary education has undergone a profound transformation and here at KCIS we are doing our best to leverage technology to create a generation of efficient learners. The use of technology can be seen at every level here on campus, from first graders reading storybooks on iPads to sixth graders writing essays on their Chromebook to student clubs programming robots to perform a choreographed dance. While all KCIS students engage with technology on a daily basis, there is a greater emphasis for grade five and six students. Two areas where these students have been growing as efficient learners are with access to student resources and writing projects.

The ability to do this is thanks to Google Classroom and its related apps. After finishing a reading in class, our students complete an assessment using a Google Form. Later, they can make corrections on a Google Doc. This means that they can review all their readings and corrections in one convenient digital environment.

They have access to all of the vocabulary words from the entire school year on Quizlet, a website which makes practicing and reviewing spelling words convenient on any device and from any location. To prepare for a spelling test or big exam, a student merely needs their textbook and any device that can log into their Google account. Talk about efficient!

  Improving Projects with Collaboration and Research

The most recent reading projects our fifth and sixth graders completed made excellent use of technology and offered a glimpse into how students are able to work together efficiently. For the grade five Storybook project, students were able to use a Google Doc to collaborate with each other and simultaneously write their stories. For example, two students could write two different pages, while two other students revised and edited their work at the same time. When it came time to create original artwork, students easily worked on the shared images and backgrounds while using their own Chromebooks.

The grade six students worked together in similar ways for their Save Our Planet project. Students utilized the website Canva to create posters and videos. This allowed students to work on visual resources at the same time. Finally, when it came to writing a final essay, students were easily able to share Google Docs with their classmates for effective peer reviewing and editing.

  Looking Forward

Students at KCIS are digital natives – they grew up in a world surrounded by new technology that can often be distracting and overwhelming. This is why it is so important for students to learn how to work and learn efficiently. Having access to learning resources at any time is a great asset that previous generations did not have. Most amazingly, they are able to engage in collaborative project work at any time and in any place. Teaching students to use these abilities well is how we are helping to develop efficient learners for tomorrow and beyond!