The Coyote Tech Club is an after school program for fourth and fifth graders. They meet once a week after school in our computer lab for an hour. The goal for students in the club is not just for learning new technology skills, but for being student role models in the use of technology. Their role is to be helpers not only to peers, but to their teachers as well. We believe the students have achieved this goal. Students participate in writing and in speaking by using various technology tools. Some of the applications students use are Word, Inspiration, KidPix, and Comic Life. Students also use web-based programs such as Animoto and Voicethread. They create projects using these tools and then present to peers and teachers.
It was important for us to relate these after school activities to what the students did in their classrooms. Tech Club students frequently pair up with peers to share new tech knowledge. The technology activities learned during Tech Club time were based on writing, speaking and reading.
It was also important to us to use tech tools that we already had in the building or web-based tools that were free to use. However, using technology in the building or technology that is free really is not free. Updates are needed on software and equipment wears out or becomes out-dated. If funding was cut, at the very least, expensive equipment that we currently own could become obsolete sooner without needed updates.
Students are becoming more and more savvy using mobile devices. We have just a few iPads in our building. One per grade level is shared. Our school houses over 700 students. If additional funds were granted, it would be wonderful to be able to purchase iPads for classrooms. The technology is cutting-edge and fun.
