Digital features enhancing classrooms

“Digital Learning Day 2019” — information at digitallearningday.org — was Feb. 28.

Digital learning is basically incorporating technology into the learning process to enhance learning and instruction. It includes a wide range of technology, from software to devices to strategies.

While a number of our school sites participated in DLD, Clovis High School centralized some of its digital activities in the CHS Library.

Librarian Jenny Jeffery set up stations with some “makerspace” projects.

Using small circuit boards, called “Makey-Makey” and Scratch, a free graphical programming language developed at MIT, students assembled wiring, alligator clips, LEDs, USB cables and various other components. Through trial and error, connecting components to conductive items — from fruits and vegetables, to Play-Doh to paper clips — the circuit board was converted to a micro-controller for a digital piano or game.

Some students coming by the digital learning stations seemed initially blasé about the activity, but, inevitably, all were delightedly surprised when they saw what these little circuit boards could do and quickly became engaged.

As Jeffery guided students through the basics, they became increasingly excited and experimented with different combinations of the available components. One “keyboard” was made up of five large paperclips with a piece of tin foil for grounding. Another “keyboard” was created using celery sticks and other organic items with a cup of water to complete the circuit.

What fun to watch “cool” high school kids excitedly “playing” melodies on these unlikely components.

CHS English teacher Sandra Hudson came by with some students and began describing ways she was incorporating technology into her language arts classroom. English teacher at CHS since 2012, Hudson used to be a bit intimidated by technology in the classroom. However, after biting the bullet and delving into available technology tools and resources (such as online digital learning platform Google Classroom), she noted students responded so readily and realized technology was an essential in the classroom.

One of Hudson’s most recent activities was creating an online shared document with students as editors and, dividing topics among students, had them create their own digital study guide for upcoming exams. When asked if any students had added anything inappropriate, she said, “Only initially.” When a student typed a couple of inappropriate words, Hudson responded that it was their own study guide to help them out. The rest of the class concurred and promptly nipped inappropriate activities in the bud.

Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy is the instructional technology coordinator for the Clovis Municipal Schools. She can be reached at

[email protected]