Hazlet Schools Use Mobile Technology to Pilot Multi-grade Classroom

Along with mobile device technology, learning management systems are also important in facilitating personalized learning. Learning management systems should allow students to access courses and lessons from places other than the classroom. Hazlet Schools wanted to make sure its students could access their LMS from their Chromebooks in any place and at any time.

“Google Classroom will be our learning management system and everything can be contained within that,” says Farley. “Any of our district curricula, any of our digital platforms that we use can be put through there so if they want to post an article or have discussion boards and conversation, Google Classroom provides 24/7 access to learning.”

Implementing personalized learning technology into a multi-grade classroom allows teachers to provide students with more individualized assessments, where students can demonstrate their expertise through a non-traditional form of testing such as through a PowerPoint presentation or a video they created.

“The technology really helps to differentiate instruction because it individualizes each student and the teacher can really look at what the student is doing and where he or she needs to grow and really challenge them with that,” says Farley.

Whenever a school is planning to implement a new technology or program into its classrooms, it is important it has the tools to accurately assess the success of the program. Teachers need to know how to use the technology to meet their students’ needs and provide an improved learning experience. Hazlet Schools are looking to assess students involved in the program through teacher generated assessments, curriculum based assessments and state assessments.

“We already have it set up where we want the students to be assessed at least quarterly, if not monthly, on how they are progressing with the general ed curriculum and any independent learning that is occurring.” says Bragen.

At the end of the day, Hazlet Schools’ main goal in implementing multi-grade classrooms is to utilize technology in a way that will provide the best individualized learning experience for its students.

“As educators, we want to embrace technology and help to define its role for us and how we can best utilize it to individualize learning for students. My concern as an educator is if we don’t define that and help be a part of that solution, someone else will do it for us, and they might not have our best interests at heart,” says Bragen.