MOKANE - South Callaway instructional coaches and math teachers sat down with two New Bloomfield math teaches, Dara Reinkemeyer and Tim Gilmore, Monday and discussed how South Callaway utilizes iPads and technology in its classrooms. Gilmore said he found the discussion beneficial.
"They (South Callaway) do a nice job of intertwining it," Gilmore said. "Not letting technology dominate the classroom but also allowing kids to have that feature. I think it helps keep the kids intrigued."
The New Bloomfield middle school and high school are due for new math textbooks. Principal Jeremy Davidson said they wanted to see what other schools are doing to integrate technology and textbooks in math courses before investing in new books.
Gilmore said South Callaway is doing a nice job of utilizing peer-to-peer teaching during a time of change as the district continues to integrate technology into its curriculum. Mary Van Orden, director of curriculum and instruction for South Callaway, described peer teaching as something "incredibly powerful."
New Bloomfield, Gilmore added, is considering investing in more technology - like potentially purchasing Chromebook sets for classrooms - rather than buying as many textbooks for math.
Van Orden said the question of "to book or not to book" can be a difficult one to answer. But, she said teachers who use both textbooks and technology have been successful.
"It's not about one or the other," she said. "It's about a blend."
New to the South Callaway district this year are instructional coaches, who teach part time and assist other teachers with technology integration the rest of the time. If the New Bloomfield R-3 district decides to invest in more technology, Gilmore said having a teacher who is a part-time technology coordinator would be valuable.
"Having the technology is one thing but knowing how to use it and knowing different avenues we could take with the technology would be very beneficial," Gilmore said. "Having that tech coordinator would be a nice way to guide us and lead us into new directions. We are always looking for new ways and different formats for teaching. ... it's going to enrich our classrooms that much better."
New Bloomfield Superintendent David Tramel said the district's board of education will discuss designating a teacher to teach part time and serve as a technology coordinator part time at its March board meeting. He said administrators have someone in mind who is currently teaching in the district who could serve that role if the district goes that direction.
Gilmore said he enjoyed learning more about web resources to enhance classroom learning. He plans to utilize the free Schoology classroom management app - which South Callaway uses - in his classroom next year to provide students with instant feedback on their work.
South Callaway High School Principal Heather Helsel advised Gilmore and Reinkemeyer to use technology when appropriate but to be flexible in doing what is best to support the student learning.
"You have to know what's going to accommodate your learner," Helsel said.
She added one obstacle South Callaway had was students not having Internet at home. However, she said there are apps students can download course work onto at school and work offline on their iPads at home.
Gilmore said he was thankful South Callaway took the time to show him and Reinkemeyer how their teachers are integrating technology in the classroom.
Van Orden said she was happy South Callaway could "pay it forward" and added they would like to do so as often as possible. When South Callaway was considering implementing instructional technology coaches, Van Orden said a team of South Callaway teachers visited other districts to see how they were integrating technology.
"You have to look and see what others are doing to see what's right for you," Van Orden told Gilmore and Reinkemeyer Monday.