In December, our students received an IPOD Nano to use as an instructional tool in the classroom. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you how this newest technology is benefiting our students.

Hallsville ISD is fortunate to have a technology department that is progressive and allow our students the opportunity to use the latest technology to support his/her education. The technology department piloted IPODS for several years at the Elementary and High School campuses and studied the data before investing in the Nano project for all students. This technology does not take the place of teacher as facilitator of learning; it is used an educational resource in the classroom to support academic achievement.

One of the greatest benefits, of this technology, comes from the ability to differentiate instruction to meet the individual needs of students. For example, on the last benchmark test, student A mastered cause and effect, but did not master author’s purpose. The classroom teacher can load podcasts of instructional aides that reinforce author’s purpose. She can also have this student create a podcast explaining cause and effect to other students and that podcast can be loaded to the Nanos of students who need more practice in cause and effect. Another use of the Nanos is the auditory and visual practice of skills such as spelling, multiplication facts, and problem solving. These are only a few examples of the endless possibilities of how the IPOD Nanos benefit our student’s education.

Teachers will continue to communicate how this technology is being used in the classroom through our website, classroom newsletters, and podcasts to the parent on the Nano. Please take time to sit with your child and watch some of the podcasts that are included on the Nano and see the great things that are happening at Hallsville Intermediate. 

It is amazing to observe the integration of the Nanos into the daily classroom. Our students are having fun learning!  Keeping students engaged in the learning process is of upmost importance for the retention of skills. We look forward to meeting the needs of our students as we begin a new decade where technology will continue to play an integral part in ensuring that our students are ready for college and the global world!

Cristi Parsons