Fourth graders from Coggin Elementary developed their skills in writing, art and speaking by working with fourth graders in Gladewater, TX.  The students did not use mailed documents and photos or a telephone to span the 275 miles between towns; they used the power of the internet.

Students from Mrs. Carene Baslee and Mr. Garry Eoff’s Coggin Elementary classes, along with Mrs. Hampton and Mrs. Littlejohn’s fourth grade students from Gladewater, had their students meet and collaborate over Skype, an internet-based video conference.  The first time the classes met, students had speaking parts in which they shared information about their town and school.

Next, the students were given an assignment to write a creative, descriptive short story about a make-believe creature.  The classes broke-up into small groups, developed their ideas, wrote a story, and then constructed their creature using paper and art supplies.

The teachers then emailed the students’ stories to each other.  Students from Brownwood had to analyze the Gladewater students’ story and create a creature that matched the description, and vice versa.

After working separately for a few weeks, the classes then came together again via Skype to compare and contrast their creatures.  Mrs. Hampton’s class showed the constructed creature that they had written a story about, and then Mr. Eoff’s class showed their rendition of the same creature.  The students took turns explaining how they were similar and how they were different.

With the technology resources available in the Brownwood and Gladewater ISDs, the teachers were able to incorporate the Texas Essential of Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in a setting much akin to real-world situations.

“My desire,” reported Mr. Eoff, “is for my students to take the basic classroom instruction to a higher level of learning and application. The Brownwood ISD technology staff provided me with the internet sources needed to move this activity from a paper / pencil activity to an interactive lesson, a skill students of tomorrow will need.”

Even though technology plays a role in the classroom, teachers know it is imperative that students continue to learn and use good grammar when writing and speaking. “If the students are not able to communicate effectively on paper, I stress to them that they have lost their audience,” said Mr. Eoff.

Mr. Eoff continued, “As I look back over my years of teaching, the only thing that has changed is the means of delivering the information. Writing is writing…the rules have not changed. What has changed in today’s world is the style and mode of delivery. I am thankful the Brownwood ISD has been supportive and most helpful as educators work to deliver the required curriculum in new and innovative ways. Having these opportunities certainly makes me have to think outside of the box, a place that is challenging and rewarding.”

Pictured above: Mr. Eoff uses the camera in his laptop to show the class in Gladewater the creature his class made.  On the screen behind him is the projected image of Gladewater’s creature.  The students took turns comparing and contrasting the creatures.

Pictured below: Student, Hayden McAfee, speaks to the Gladewater 4th grade class, as seen projected on the screen behind him. Mr. Eoff sits at his desk with the computer.

Photos contributed by BISD.