The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Holly Springs teachers lead way in embracing technology
Elementary one of just 27 Microsoft showcase schools in the U.S.
As a STEM academy, Cherokee County’s Holly Springs Elementary is committed to incorporating technology in every aspect of the curriculum. To that end, teachers started three years ago to learn all they can about what computer programs exist to support instruction, becoming the first cohort in the county to complete Microsoft’s Innovative Educator training.
“Every Tuesday, we learned about Microsoft products and how to use them,” explained Lauren Pittman, Holly Springs’ special education teacher. “Once that was complete, we could apply for additional certifications at the expert level, and nine of us did that.
Through that training, teachers learned about the Microsoft showcase program that recognizes schools that leverage technology for students. Holly Springs applied for the distinction and was selected as a 2017-2018 showcase school, one of only 27 in the country that were singled out.
“We didn’t receive any swag, as they say,” said Pittman with a laugh. “The biggest thing it means is that Cherokee County has invested in technology that helps students and us as teachers. We leverage technology for little ones as well as fifth-graders. And we do get the chance to preview things coming out, to give our input and to talk to product developers about what’s working.”
Showc ase schools are also invited to share transformational educational practices with other schools. Pittman is always ready to share how having technology in her special education classrooms has revolutionized learning for her students.
“My fourth- and fifth-grade classes are completely paperless,” she said. “We use OneNote and Canvas, and now many of my students can get help with projects and do research with just the touch of a button, when before, we had separate products. OneNote also includes a reader that reads what’s on the screen, whether it’s a PDF or a Word doc. If I give them a reading passage with a lot of pictures, it isolates the text and eliminates visual confusion. It even highlights as it reads, so kids see the words in real time. That program has been my workhorse.”
Microsoft also supports its showcase schools by providing free teacher training, said Principal Donna Bertram.
“Some of our teachers have been to [Microsoft in] California, and we have options for free webinars on how to use the products better,” she said. “Different teachers utilize different programs, and Microsoft was very interested in how we use them to teach. We have five STEM labs, so we use technology for science experiments as well as presentations and even teaching reading. All of our 800 students are exposed to it in some way.”
Last May, students in Pittman’s classes did get one perk from Microsoft: They were featured in an international campaigncalled “Empowering” that the company conducted to promote its education products and their impact on teaching and learning. It focused on how Pittman’s students engage with OneNote tools.
“We got to show how our students are learning better through technology that wasn’t available five years ago,” said Pittman. “Technology will never replace a dedicated teacher, but together, the two can be really powerful.”