Minnesota Dept. of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius stopped by Becker High School to observe how the school district uses technology to prepare self-directed learners to thrive in a changing global community last Friday.
During Cassellius’ visit, several teachers, superintendents and students gave presentations in regards to their school programs and what exactly the school’s current technological advances are being applied.
Ryan Cox began the meeting with a district introduction and introduced all the members in attendance who planned to give a presentation. Cox talked about the integration of technology with the school’s curriculum and how it prepares self-directed learners to thrive in a changing global community.
Following Cox’s speech, Primary School Teachers Jenny Obermoller and Corrie Wiechmann talked about several topics including how in their classes, students are teaching and learning from each other through Educreations, Seesaw, Doceri and Shadow Puppets.
Stacy Spindler gave a talk about what her kids are doing in the Intermediate School especially focusing on their taking a different approach to learning and tracking various participants in the Iditarod sled race.
Middle School Teacher Tracy Hare spoke on her students’ design thinking process that helps kids define and observe, use empathy, visualize, create prototypes and test and refine their results. She stressed her students’ creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication as part of her class’s classroom habits.
High school students Brianna Edling and A.J. Buntrock spoke about how technology has affected the way students interact with teachers, get projects done digitally and how the calendar feature on their iPads keeps them up-to-date and current on what each day’s itinerary consists of.
At the close of the meeting, Cassellius was invited to sit in on High School 10th Grade English Teacher Arnold Changamire’s classroom and get the feel for how classes are conducted in Becker.
Cassellius said she “was very pleased with what she observed during her visit.”
“I’m very impressed with the way your school district has integrated technology with effective instruction,” she said.
Dr. Stephen Malone said, “It was an honor to showcase a few of the fantastic programs and people that make our school district so special. Thanks to the teachers and students who participated in this exciting event.”
