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ICT in Education Victoria
Statewide Resources Centre
Level 2 Room 10
150 Palmerston Street
CARLTON VIC 3053
AUSTRALIA
The digital sandpit, exploring & learning through technology
Ben Gallagher
on Saturday, 21 May 2011 15:50 - 16:35 in room Room 07
TAGS: 2011, 45 Minute Presentation, Primary educators, VELS 1, VELS 2, VELS 3, ICT Leaders, VELS 4, School principals, exploration, gaming, iPads, iPods, learning, maths, numbers, primary
During 2010 I decided to apply for an Innovating with Technology Grant. Student engagement at the school had been down, student absences were up and I found the number of students arriving 10 to 20 minutes into the day was very high. We are in a time where our students are surrounded by technology, they are using the latest technology at home and then coming to school and taking a step back in the way technology is used. We asked the students what they wanted and the Student Voice was overwhelming in favor of introducing new technology to our school. So I developed The Digital Sandpit.
The Digital Sandpit time starts at 8:50 and runs through to 9:10, with the aim of engaging students in a fun, and exciting way to start the day. In turn, we are noticing that late arrivals have been completely eliminated and student absences have also dropped significantly. The activities however are not all based on fun games, they also have educational components.
The students use iPod touches, Nintendo DSi, PCs, a Nintendo Wii, an Xbox360 with Kinect and even an iPad during this time. All of this technology is also integrated throughout the day in other sessions.
The Digital Sandpit has proved to be an amazing success and something that could benefit all schools and students.
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Prepare for a fun session, experiencing technology the way the children do.
Ben Gallagher
Classroom Teacher
Meredith Primary School
I have been a teacher since completing my degree at RMIT in 2002, but I have been a nerd my whole life. I love technology and whenever something new comes out I just want to get my hands on it and have a go.
With technology being a passion of mine,it was only natural that I try and integrate it into my classroom setting. Starting out small, with computers in prep I have gradually increased the technology that I have used in my classroom to the stage that I now regularly use DSi's, iPod Touches, PC's, Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 Kinect every single day in my classroom.
In 2010, I received an Innovating with Technology grant and with that The Digital Sandpit was born.
In 2011, I completed my Masters in Educational Leadership and began using Games often in my teaching.
