Students will connect with others worldwide

ThisWeek CW 07/04/2013

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2013/07/02/global-read-aloud-students-will-connect-with-others-worldwide.html

The Groveport-Madison school district is among 100 districts in the state chosen to participate in the 2013 Ohio School Boards Association Student Achievement Fair this fall.

Superintendent Bruce Hoover said the schools’ recently acquired Chromebook computers are being used as a part of a Global Read Aloud program. He said the district is being recognized for the combination of the unique programming and the use of technology.

The Global Read Aloud program was founded in 2010 by Wisconsin teacher Pernille Ripp. It is a global collaboration of teachers and administrators who all agree to have the same book read by or to participating students in kindergarten through fifth grade during September.

After that, participants collaborate on projects based on the book with other students and teachers from around the world, using various Internet technologies such as email or video chat and document-collaboration tools.

“Our students deserve recognition for being selected to present at the Nov. 12 OSBA annual Capital Conference, where they will present on the Global Read Aloud program using the Chromebooks, which is making digital learning available to all our students,” Hoover said. “We recently made a significant purchase of Chromebooks and the students are using them in many ways for this that goes well beyond just test-taking.”

OSBA Student Achievement Fair Coordinator Debby Hoopes said the Groveport-Madison students will be part of a select group representing exceptional work in Ohio.

“This is a special honor as only 100 nominations are accepted to participate,” Hoopes said. “Board members, administrators and key leaders from across Ohio will be viewing your booth and they will be interacting with your staff and student participants and learning all about the good things happening in your district.”

Hoover thanked board member Nancy Gillespie for submitting the nomination and overseeing the presentation project.