District Administration - November/December 2010 - (Page 3)

ADVERTISEMENT District uses math and science “activity objects” to get more from interactive whiteboards Adaptive Curriculum software helps students get hands-on familiarity with complex concepts, raises scores ith computers and interactive whiteboards be- the software gives them an idea of what I’m looking for and coming more prevalent in classrooms, districts are makes it easier for them to apply what they know to other looking for tools to help maximize the technology’s projects.” benefits and improve educational results. Twice a week, Garcia sets up four or five Adaptive CurricThe Sundale Union Elementary School District in Tulare, ulum centers for small group projects, with students spendCalif., found those tools in Adaptive Curriculum’s software ing 15 minutes at each center and completing one Adaptive for math and science. The district Curriculum lesson. superintendent was impressed with For individualized, self-paced a demo of Adaptive Curriculum’s inwork, students complete one or two teractive activity objects. At the same Adaptive Curriculum lessons in the time the district was looking for a computer lab. “I like the design of the way “to ratchet up our middle school program,” says Garcia. “It’s so easy to science curriculum,” according to Vice select different activities for different Principal Darin Bawks. students and differentiate lessons “Of course we had textbooks, but based on skill level and pacing.” we wanted something more technolThe results have been tangible. ogy based and more interactive to Standardized tests for eighth grade appeal to our digital-age students science students showed an increase and improve student achievement in ranging from 31 to 59 points. On science,” Bawks said. Adaptive Curriculum’s built-in tests, The district, which serves a small, Garcia notes that students improved rural farming and dairy community over the year to achieving 80 to 100 in the San Joaquin Valley, decided “Our teachers ran with it after percent results. tools to marry to to implement Adaptive Curriculum Finding effective in February 2010. A one-hour webithe technology of interactive whitejust one hour of training.” nar was all it took to get the school’s boards is a challenge that the Interscience teachers excited. Said Bawks: national Society for Technology in “Our teachers ran with it after just one hour of training. They Education identified at its 2010 convention in Denver. appreciate the curriculum support—they find the supple“One of the consistent messages received from our mentary materials and assessment very useful. They are as members was the need for strong Math and Science middle enamored with Adaptive Curriculum as our students.” school and high school solutions that would allow teachers Adaptive Curriculum has more than 400 standards-based a point of instruction tool for use on their interactive boards. activity objects designed to use multimedia lessons to rein- Certainly, the trend is to find programs that would help force complex concepts. The software also has online teach- school systems realize their investment on those boards as er guides and lesson plans, and it provides instant feedback it relates to STEM and these core content areas,” said Helen and reinforcement. Padgett, ISTE president. Eric Garcia, a sixth grade science teacher, has seen significant results since he started implementing Adaptive Curric- For more information, visit www.adaptivecurriculum.com. ulum. He uses the program with his interactive whiteboard for whole class projects and to prepare students for handson science labs and science fairs. “Adaptive Curriculum is great for preparation,” he said. “We do a lesson in class, and then students are familiar with the language when they start a hands-on project. So W http://www.adaptivecurriculum.com http://www.adaptivecurriculum.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - November/December 2010

District Administration - November/December 2010
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
Administrator Profile
District Profile
Black Children Still Left Behind
ARRA Funds Empower Schools to Power Down
A Call for Technology Leadership
Readers Pick Top 100 Products of the Year
Going Mobile
Superintendent’s Insights
Supervisor’s Opinion
Professional Opinion
Student Counsel

District Administration - November/December 2010