Innovations+at+HKIS

What are some of the innovative uses of technology you've seen at HKIS?
Some teachers use Smartboards so often and so well, that they are no longer innovative, they are now standard pieces of equipment which those teachers would be lost without. Another example of creative use of technology is the use of the handy mini-video camera called the FLIP. This little item can film from 30 to 120 minutes of video that can be quickly downloaded directly onto one's computer using the handy flipped out USB plug on the side of the camera. The size of this hand or tripod-held camera makes it inobtrusive in the classroom. It is easily operated by children and adults alike. Short clips of classroom behavior, academic work habits in action, and student interviews have been used in parent conferences as well as Student Reviews. Cost ranges from $129.00 to $229.00 (for the new mino HD camera which records up to 120 minutes and uses a lithium rechargeable battery).

The parent feedback on my use of the Flip from my class has been entirely favorable. Filming (is that an anachronistic word here) oral presentations of my second graders and posting to voice thread allowed overseas grandparents to see what the kids' parents were bragging about! I concur, the Flip is very user friendly and has quite an impact, especially after the kids could see themselves and see how well or not so well they "came across" to their class audience.

The Flip camera also has a feature wherein you can capture the picture from the video you have taken. When a video was taken during the PE Field Day for grade two students, amazing candid and action pictures were taken from the video itself. It is also easy and require enough time to download on the computer.

The new all in one printer, scanner, copier is a great feature starting this school year. Now everyone have access to printing both black & white documents or colorful ones that are always needed in the class. Anyone can use a scanner it can either be saved on a common place or send directly to your email address. Copying comes very handy since in UPS every floor has at least 2 units. Unlike before when scanning and colored print outs are just dedicated to the computer that's attached to it. This is one of the innovations that benefited everyone.

The use of Quia and Voicethread to create exercises and homework assignments in UP Chinese classes has very positive result in increasing students' interests in practicing the language.