Today I looked at the "Knack for Nook" article and how E-devices are helping learning in Hoover schools. Hoover's school system has launched a three-year pilot program in which 50 elementary school students (4th graders) are using hand-held Nooks in their daily work. With district officials' blessing, the director of curriculum and instruction for Hoover City Schools has created a three-year $30,000 budget and partnered with Barnes & Noble to purchase about 50 nooks. The money will also cover upgrades for the next two years.
All students had to take a "Nook license test" and when they passed, sign a contract. Essentially the students are agreeing they'll care for the device, bring it to and from school every day, and because it's school property (like a textbook), will turn it back in at the end of the year. The kids also received a variety of mini lessons that included instruction on apps and good digital citizenship. According to Karen Darroch (4th grade teacher), "now they watch science and history videos, play math games, take vocabulary and spelling test and use it for study guides for test preparation." I like the thought of students working on math apps to enhance skills or watch a math video to help with fractions. I think allowing the students to use the Nook in class is a great way to integrate technology into many subject areas.
The article also tells about a fourth grade student, Mitch Plamondon, who said "the Nook has helped him raise his grades." I think is is fantastic that this student has not only improved his grade, but perhaps his study skills since he started using the Nook. I agree with Mrs. Plamonden (Mitch's mother), "I believe it's very important to keep updating teaching and learning techniques." Overall, I think the Nook and most any tablet can make a difference in student achievement and motivation.I think it would be great for the Nook tablet to eventually become available system-wide.
Good job!
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