The way we learn and what we learn is changing, and that is really the majority of the issue around twenty-first century skills. ~S. Traylor

This past weekend, my husband and I were invited to our good friends’ home for dinner. After the dishes were cleared and the kitchen was cleaned up, we retired by the fireplace in the family room for some adult conversation. Our two boys went downstairs to dual, as well as collaborate with each other, playing the latest video game craze – Rock Band II. The couple’s precious four-year-old daughter perched on my lap with her friends from “Littlest Pet Shop.” This lasted for about 30 seconds when she scotched down and asked her dad for his iPhone. She retrieved his iPhone, and came back over to sit once more. She navigated the iPhone, found her name, signed in and earnestly began to show me three games that she had learned to play. Following that, she declared that she wanted to watch her Tinker Bell movie. Since the boys were utilizing the television downstairs, and the adults were monopolizing the family room, her alternative was to go and find the portable DVD/Television combo. Within minutes, she was back, player in one hand and the movie in the other. She snuggled in once again, and within seconds was manipulating the player, pausing only for a brief moment through the previews to show me the castle where Cinderella lives.

I share this story to illustrate the fact that technology has become integrated into our children’s everyday life. Her autonomy with technology was seamless – she is a true example of a digital native. It left me wondering what she was capable of doing on a computer. It also found me reflecting about how we, as educators at Sleepy Hollow School, are meeting the needs of our new generation of digital learners. Thus, was the impetus to share with you some of the inspiring ways we are meeting our students’ needs through technology.

Did you know that Sleepy Hollow School is considered a leader of technology integration in District 300? With our PTC’s generous support, SmartBoards are used for instruction on a daily basis. All of our teaching staff have been trained and are eagerly implementing interactive lessons for our children. Complementing the SmartBoards, our laptop cart, that contains enough laptops for each child in a classroom, is employed on a regular basis for students to complete research and practice skills.

In addition to SmartBoard and laptop integration, all of our first graders go to the computer lab three times a week for a computer program called Lexia. Lexia is a computer based program, in the form of a game, that helps develop students’ phonemic awareness and reading skills. The program individualizes instruction and classroom teachers receive a printout of each child’s progress to assist in planning for instruction.

Further, our physical education teacher Mr. Scheurich recently put into practice a two-week Nintendo Wii sports unit aligned to Illinois Learning Standards. Students in kindergarten through grade two learned and practiced bowling. Students in grades three through five were schooled in the fundamentals of tennis. Lessons included terms, practice, and ways to improve. Everyday when the children were entering the gym, a resounding “yes!” could be heard. Additionally, last week Sleepy Hollow School received notification from SchoolTube.com that we won an award. We won the Fall 2008 Student Choice Award for pictures of our “Mock” Presidential Election. Pictures can be viewed at www.schooltube.com.

Our children today text, twitter, blog, and post to wikis. As educators, this causes us to reflect on instruction, challenge assumptions, and learn together with digital tools. At Sleepy Hollow School, we are committed to integrating technology to support our 21st century learners.

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