Eric W. Underhill, MAT – Instructional Technology Coordinator
What is technology integration?
Technology integration occurs when students use technology to enhance, support and inform their learning within the educational environment. The Carlin Springs model of technology integration incorporates 5 main components.
- Active Engagement
- Collaborative Learning
- Interaction and Feedback
- Access to real-world experts and knowledge
- Personalized Learning Pathways and Approaches
How does instructional technology support the students at Carlin Springs?
The instructional technology mission of Carlin Springs is to create, provide and support a personalized learning environment where students will develop their knowledge, skills and abilities to be active participants of their community and life long learners.Our instructional focus supports the APS goal of educating the whole child by providing:
- differentiated instruction that supports learning
- relevant and engaging learning experiences that inspire students
- authentic learning opportunities that promote discovery
- access to content rich resources to broaden horizons
Instructional Coaching
The goal of the instructional technology coach is to ensure that every student receives excellent instruction in all educational settings every day.The focus of the technology coach is to support student learning by:
- engaging students in digitally based learning opportunities
- creating innovative learning spaces that promote student thought and creativity
- design and support digitally enhanced learning centers
- facilitate opportunities for students to engage in real world exploration of content
- supporting ongoing professional development of faculty and staff in educational technology integration
- lead the Educational Technology Committee in researching current digital learning initiatives
- coordinate and maintain the partnership with the Verizon Education Foundation for STEM based learning.
The coaching model incorporates evidence-based teaching practices and evidence-based integration strategies that demonstrate a positive impact on student learning and achievement. Our coaching model incorporates principles from: SAMR, T-Pack, Adaptive Schools, Conscious Discipline and Cognitive Coaching.
Image Credit – Discovery Education
Benefits of Personalized Learning
While personalized learning is not new, technology is helping us to make greater strides toward this goal, and we see many wonderful benefits.
- Classrooms are student-centered and the teacher’s role is as facilitator to guide learning rather than just being gatekeeper or a single source of knowledge.
- Through personalized learning, students are challenged to think critically and use higher order level skills.
- Students are more engaged in learning when they are given more opportunities to take control of their learning.
- Teachers are able to offer immediate feedback so that students can make adjustments to their thinking and improve on their work.
- With collaboration tools, students and teachers are able to communicate easily both inside and outside of school.
- Students are exploring more creative ways to solve problems, express their ideas, generate new learning and develop skills to work as part of a team in the classroom and virtually.
These are the skills needed for success in college and careers in the 21st Century and APS is proud to offer students these high-quality learning experiences to prepare our students for their lives beyond high school.
Image Credit: NAIS
STEM Integration Learning Lab – provided through a partnership with the Verizon Education Foundation
Carlin Springs is proud to announce their partnership with the Verizion Education Foundation for a new Elementary School Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative. The Carlin Springs STEM Learning Lab will provide students, teachers and instructional specialists with an innovative learning space that will focus on the K-5 Science Curriculum. Our new lab will feature: 
- 5 Digitally Enhanced Learning Centers
- Interactive and Personalized Learning Environment for Students
- An Collaborative Educational Learning Space
- Hands on and Experience Based Lessons
- Digital Access to Field Experts
Heading Image Credit: NAIS AC 2014
APS Digital Citizenship Initiative
Students at Carlin Springs will participate in age appropriate digital citizenship lessons adapted from Common Sense Media and the APS Department of Instruction & Information Services. Student modules are broken down by grade level and provide a structured learning experience for students as they learn about digital literacy, safety and online citizenship. The modules provide students with real world examples about these focus areas and how they can be responsible participants in our world’s digital community.
| Kindergarten |
Going Places Safely Online Lesson Plan APS Central Question:How do I go places safely on the computer? APS Enduring Understanding:There are a lot of exciting things to do online, but it is important to follow certain rules to remain safe. Learning Objectives:I will be able to:
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| 1st Grade |
Staying Safe Online Lesson Plan How do you stay safe when you visit websites? APS Enduring Understanding:It is important to stay safe online by choosing websites that are good for you to visit and avoiding sites that are not appropriate. Learning Objectives:I will be able to:
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| 2nd Grade |
Keep it Private Lesson Plan APS Central Question:What kinds of information should I keep to myself when I use the Internet? APS Enduring Understanding:Certain kinds of information is private and should not be shared online. Learning Objectives:I will be able to:
Follow the Digital Trail Lesson Plan APS Central Question:What is a digital footprint? APS Enduring Understanding:Information put online leaves a digital footprint or trail. The digital trail can be big or small, depending on how it is managed. Learning Objectives:I will be able to:
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| 3rd Grade |
You’ve Won a Prize Lesson Plan APS Central Question:What are marketing messages online and what can you do about them? APS Enduring Understanding:It is important to protect personal information online to avoid marketing efforts and to surf the Internet safely. Learning Objectives:I will be able to:
What’s Cyber Bullying? Lesson Plan APS Central Question:What is cyberbullying and how do you deal with it? APS Enduring Understanding:Bullying can happen in person or online, but both kinds of bullying are hurtful. Learning Objectives:I will be able to:
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| 4th Grade |
The Key to Keywords Lesson Plan APS Central Question:Which keywords will give you the best search results? APS Enduring Understanding:Certain search strategies will increase the accuracy of keyword searches .Learning Objectives:I will be able to:
How to Cite a Site Lesson Plan APS Central Question:How do I cite different types of online sources? APS Enduring Understanding:It is important to cite sources when doing research to give proper credit to the author. Learning Objectives:I will be able to:
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| 5th Grade |
Rings of Responsibility Lesson Plan APS Central Question:What kinds of responsibilities does a good digital citizen have? APS Enduring Understanding:Information put online leaves a digital footprint or trail. The digital trail can be big or small, depending on how it is managed. Learning Objectives:I will be able to:
Super Digital Citizen Lesson Plan APS Central Question:What does it mean to be a good digital citizen? APS Enduring Understanding: To be a good digital citizen, one must be responsible and respectful in online and offline communities and learn to solve digital dilemmas in a responsible way. APS Learning Objectives:I will be able to:
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