Alisa Wright - Studucate

7/31/2019 Alisa Wright - Studucate

1/5

5thAnniversaryBook

Project

StuducateA night when students educate parents by sharing how

they use technology to enhance their own learning

By: Alisa Wright

Creative Commons License: CC BY

Author contact: @alisaw3

Author Biography: Alisa Wright, Educational

Technologist of Warren School, RSD6, CT. I am

very fortunate to work in a district that supports

the advancement of 21st Century Learning and continually seeks ways to further its

commitment to enhancing student learning. Feel free to visit my wiki, https ://wrats.

pbworks.com/w/page/20141000/Working-together-to-make-things-happen!where you

will nd a full account of links to documents, forms, etc. used to coordinate Studucate.

Activity Summary

Studucate....a night when students educate parents and community by sharing how they use

technology to enhance their own learning. On March 1st, Warren School will host its rst ever event

where the students are the presenters and the learners are parents and community of Warren, Ct.

Approximately 89 students will actively demonstrate a tool that their teacher has used within their

school day to make learning meaningful. Kerpoof, LiitleBirdTales, Study Island, Smart Response,PhotoStory3, and Edmodo will be among the programs showcased throughout Studucate. Groups

of parents and community will rotate from class to class during the evening. During each 10 minute

session, students will explain the benets of using the program as compared to how they would have

traditionally been exposed to skills and concepts. The upper classmen, sixth grade students, will be

the host of each classroom to introduce students, play screencasts created by teachers explaining the

tool and its relation to ISTE standard covered, and support the younger student if needed. Attendees

will be encouraged to leave 1 video comment on a VoiceThread before leaving the event to capture

the experience. Web 2.0 Programs have been contacting seeking promotional items to be given to

presenting students as a thank you gift

Class or subject area: Any

Grade level(s): K-6

Specic learning objectives:

To examine how students can educate their parents and the community about how technology

enhances their learning.


2/5

Students taking ownership for their own learning is one of the most

important aspects of 21st Century Learning. When that occurs

pride, leadership, self-condence and true understanding swell to

the surface. In this technological age of learning those who truly

grasp the benets of these times realizes that it really isnt about the

technology at all. What really matters is how and why it is utilized.

Providing students with opportunities to communicate, collaborate,

use creativity and critical thinking not only engage students on a

higher level of learning, but will help to build a strong foundationfor their future. On March 1, 2012, the students of Warren School

participated in a very special event that held them to a highly unique

standard. We called this event Studucate. Studucate was a night

when students educated parents by sharing how they use technology

to enhance their own learning. Students were highly motivated to

take on this challenge. 70 of our 89 students of Warren School, K-6,

presented at Studucate. Students owned the night. Throughout

the evening, parents and friends rotated from class to class as

groups of students in each grade presented 10-minute lessons to those in attendance. Those not

in attendance for each presentation--the classroom teacher. Teachers let the students truly embracethe experience. It would be difcult for teachers not to intervene when their students came across

technical difculties or lesson mishaps in the midst of presenting to a room full of adults.

Students were placed in the position to trust in themselves and their

partners.

Each presentation was equipped with a support system. This support came

in the form of the senior students in the school, the sixth grade. As hosts,

the sixth graders introduced the presenters and provided guidance as

necessary. These eleven and twelve year olds were wonderful at providing

the assurance that help was there if needed, but allowed time for groups

to take the initiative to problem solve issues that arose. Student presenterswere placed in the position to trust in themselves and their partners to work

through the lesson together. The outcome....mission accomplished.

The event was laid out in the span of an hour and a half. Parents and

friends were invited to gather in the gym fteen minutes before the

initial overview of Studucate to view a video created using Animoto.

This display showcased the many ways technology and 21st Century

Learning has inltrated Warren School. Making their way into the gym,

copies of the individualized schedules created by students and Studucate

packets complete with class generated How-Tos of the programs being

demonstrated hwere made available. Promptly at 6:00PM, the event was

initiated.

A 10-minute SlideRocket slideshow presentation brought perspective and

structure to Studucate. Having a captive audience of nearly every student

and parent of Warren, not to mention the relatives and friends joining, was a

Students owned the night.

Sixth grade students were hosts

for each presentation,K-5, to

provide support and guidance

when needed.

Students EducateParentsStudents present with

condence and clarity as

they stand in front of a

room full of parents and

friends.


3/5

prime opportunity to broadcast the importance of 21st Century Learning. Using ISTE and the NET(S)

as a springboard, it was explained how Warren School blends traditional teaching with the 4Cs--

Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking/Problem Solving. Once this insight

was delivered along with an explanation of the nights schedule, it was time to maneuver through

Studucate.

Guests spilled out of the gym and made their way to their rst scheduled session. Student presenters

and sixth grade hosts stationed themselves at their respective classrooms. Hosts helped to ready

the younger students, check equipment, welcome guests and prepare to present the Smart NotebookLesson. Once the start of the session was announced over the intercom, hosts played the 1.5 minute

screencast produced by classroom teachers introducing the tool being demonstrated and explaining

the NET(S) standards addressed through its use. At the conclusion of the video, it was time for the

students to work their magic. And work their magic they did. Each presentation group courageously

and condently stood before a room full of adults to demonstrate how and why they use the tool.

From logging on to the tool to saving the product, guests were guided through the process in a clear,

informative way. Prior to Studucate, students collaboratively planned and practiced how they would

effectively communicate their lesson to parents and friends. Their knowledge and ownership of the

lesson became obvious when presenting. As LittleBirdTales, Kerpoof, SmartResponse with Study

Island, PhotoStory3 and Edmodo were being introduced to parents and friends, the building wasbuzzing with energy. Incorporated into these sessions was a sixth session where guests gathered

to view virtual projects that were accessible from our schools EdTech Wiki. Sixth grade hosts were

not only in the room to provide an overview of these projects on the SmartBoard, but were also there

to assist guests in leaving comments on a VoiceThread to help capture the essence of Studucate.

Responses from adults and students solidied how extraordinary and special this night had been.

Before leaving, everyone met in the gym for a brief wrap up of Studucate. Students energetically

expressed pride in their accomplishment, and parents did not hold back with their expression of pride

in the students.

It was informative, amazing, and a great night.

My partners and I needed to work together as a team to present the lesson at Studucate.

The following day students were given time to explain what they felt about Studucate. Their reactions

were priceless, not to mention extremely insightful. They expressed the importance of teamwork,

communicating thoughts clearly, and being able to work through problems that presented themselves

during their lessons. For many, the experience made them realize that they have the ability to take

on challenges, step out of their comfort zone, and accomplish something that leaves a feeling of pride

difcult to match. These expressions were informally captured on an iPad and merged with footage

of Studucate to create a 13 minute iMovie video that was e-blasted out to parents and friends. The

VoiceThread created the night of Studucate was included as well.

Due to its success, Studucate is being planned for the other schools in RSD6.

I didnt think I could present in front of parents, but now I cant wait to do something like this

again!


4/5

We had some technical difculties while using the document camera, but we worked it out

ourselves.

The excitement mounted as students prepared for Studucate.

As with any project, success stems from the process during its creation. The entire process was a

coordinated effort of students, staff, parents and administration striving to achieve a worthwhile goal.

With the students working together responsibly to choreograph a comprehension presentation, the

staff providing the necessary exibility to allow for practice and preparation, parents encouraging

their child to participate and reinforcing its importance by attending the event, and the administrationproviding the support and offering assistance throughout, Studucate was set up for success.

Preparation for Studucate started with an overview of the idea being presented to Warren Schools

principal and staff. A Popplet was used to organize the objectives and expectations of the event.

As the different components of Studucate (Initially presented as Student to Parent Tech Time) were

revealed, the staff saw the potential this idea generated as a means for individual student growth.

The idea of having the students as the teachers throughout a whole school event was compelling.

Through this process students would emerge as leaders, team players, problem solvers, and risk

takers.

When the time came to present this project to students, the Popplet was displayed once again. Aseach class was introduced to Studucate it became readily apparent that students were willing to take

on this challenge. Permission slips were e-blasted to parents as a google form. Using this google

form streamlined the process of collecting permission and determining student participation. The next

step was to create the lesson. Groups were given a lesson template to guide them in developing

their presentation. Soon to be presenters held a discussion to determine why their teacher decided to

use that particular tool for the learning objectives being covered and how had they benetted through

its use. Together that worked through their plan from introduction to conclusion. As a class, the How-

To portion of the lesson was created. Students took turns detailing each step needed to use the tool.

With the lesson and How-To created, it was then time to practice presenting. Most had not had much

experience with this, and students soon came to realize that presenting requires a certain set of skills

they would need to learn.

Not only did students have to practice the information beijng delivered and the ow of the lesson,

but they also had to remember to project their voices, face the audience, and effectively position

themselves at the SmartBoard. They took on this task very seriously and strived to do the best they

could. Some students even practiced logging in to their accounts to free up time for the presentation

of the tool. Three days before Studucate, a rehearsal was held. Classroom teachers were asked

to observe each presentation to assess the group and their host. Performance ratings, comments

and suggestions were documented on a google form using the teachers iPad. Once the rehearsal

was complete, the results were analyzed and individualized attention was provided as needed. The

stage was now set and the students were ready. A highly positive energy mounted as the night

of Studucate neared. With the students feeling condent that they now held the tools needed to

effectively present their lessons, they wanted nothing to get in the way of this special time. Especially,

inclement weather. Hearing that an approaching winter storm was threatening to delay Studucate,

students rallied to make their voices heard expressing their hope that school would not be cancelled

and Studucate would happen as scheduled. And happen as scheduled it did!


5/5

On March 1, at 5:45PM, students began funneling into the gym, collected their name tags, and

spontaneously gathered into presentation groups anxiously anticipating their moment to present.

Sixth grade students made their way to the gym each wearing their Edmodo shirt, courtesy of

Edmodo. (Program developers of tools presented were contacted a few weeks before Studucate

requesting promotional items to give out to students. Along with the t-shirts, books, pens, notepads,

and certicates were generously donated.) Within minutes, the students were presenting and the

reality of the event was evident. Studucate lived up to its potential and proved to be a success. The

success of Studucate can be measured in many ways, but topping the list is the sense of trust that

is instilled in ones own ability. It was amazing to see each student exuding condence and self-assurance while taking on the unique role of educating parents throughout the night.

It felt like you were in charge and your teachers didnt help. It wasnt the teachers telling you

how to use a program, it was you teaching the parents.

If you work together, you can get things done. We were a great team together.

Documents

Alisa Wright - Studucate