Parents and caregivers understand that technology impacts every aspect of their children’s lives. From their safety, ability to think clearly and make good decisions, to their mood and well-being, career prospects and more. So how do we best prepare our kids for this rapidly-evolving digital world and where does this fit into their Granville CSD education?
To support our families and educators in navigating this challenge, our district has enlisted the expertise of Laurie Guyon, author and a Lead Coordinator for Instructional Technology Programs with the WSWHE BOCES Model Schools Program.
This summer, Mrs. Guyon has been collaborating with our teacher-leaders to seamlessly integrate New York State Education Department standards for computer science and digital fluency into existing lesson plans. This helps our students become smart, savvy and safe with their technology use and also helps connect their school work to future careers. Lucky for us, Ms. Guyon was one of the educators on the NYS Education authoring committee charged with creating the standards. She has led training locally with WSWHE BOCES and statewide with The New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE).
“This training will help Granville teachers bring meaningful technology experiences into the classroom,” explained Ms. Guyon. She recounted story after story of bringing kids out of their shell and making learning fun through the use of technology. “Sometimes, children struggling to make friends or engage with the lessons need a new way of connecting with their peers and classroom materials,” said Ms. Guyon.
“We know we can reach more students leveraging the emerging technologies and resources we are sharing with Granville educators,” said Ms. Guyon. “Being here, meeting Granville Teachers who are excited and curious about integrating these standards in their classrooms was a joy.” “I go to many school districts and you get a pulse of a school from working with the staff, and this group of educators are passionate about what they do,” continued Ms. Guyon.
Thank you to Ms. Talmadge, Director of Student-Personnel Services, and to our district’s commitment to professional development, for bringing these valuable learning opportunities to our school community.
FAMILY RESOURCES
Free edtech games for your PreK- grade 12 child from our head librarian, Mary Bucciero, see this newsletter.
Free digital safety for families: Apple households go here. Android households go here.
To learn more about internet safety for your family: Common Sense Media
To learn more about the standards: NYSED Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards
To learn more about Ms. Guyon visit her website.
Picture: Ms. Guyon with an image of video screenshot in the background with the words "accessibility in tech tools"