A New Technological Aim at Student Learning

By Nathalie Sturgeon and Braden Coughlan

Blackville School is part of a provincial initiative called “Demonstration Schools.” The aim of this initiative is to study the impact of technology and computers on student learning. Along with 36 schools across the province, Blackville will represent District 16.

The focus of this research initiative is three folded. How does technology impact students? How does technology affect the engagement of students? And, lastly, how does technology address the education of diverse learners?

Blackville School has specified two questions they would like to see answered by this initiative. Is there a correlation between one-to-one access and students being on task? Secondly, will access to online resources and a variety of options for student feedback lead students to take personal ownership of their learning?

A designated team of high school teachers has been assigned to do the research, but all high school teachers will assist in the project. The school will receive assistance from District 16 Technology Mentors Joey Savoy and Rick Hayward. They will help educate students and provide Blackville with data.

“The project is really a living and evolving one that sees us addressing new needs as we identify them through our student body,” said Blackville School Vice-Principal Aaron Johnston.

“However, like any research proposal we will have to wait and see what the data at the end tells us. But, I am optimistic that this will prove to be a good initiative,” continued Johnston.

After being asked whether more money would be set forth for a program surrounding technology, Johnston had this to say, “I am hopeful that the department will find this to be a progressive initiative and be able to help fund it.” This comes after District 16 implemented SMART Boards in all their classrooms.

Grade nine student Brittney Hayne said she finds the net books convenient when doing her work. Grade nine student Madison Astle added, “Google is like a dictionary on its own, you can pretty much find anything. If you need anything you can just search it on the internet.”

“Regardless of what the results are, Blackville School will continue to be an advocate for technology in the schools. We will use it to teach, use it to engage, and use it to reach higher and higher levels of achievement,” said Johnston.

Photos by Taylar Curtis

An Apple Leaves a Lasting Impression

An apple a day keeps the doctors away, but no one ever said anything about leaves.

On Tuesday, October 4 Grade 6 Blackville students Jules Keenan and Emily Peterson found an apple that had something very unusual about it.

Emily was digging through her lunch can and found a bright red shiny apple. Thanks to her friend Jules, the apple was saved. Jules noticed a subtle imprint of a leaf on the apple.

Seeing that this was a special apple Emily traded it with her teacher, Mrs. Carmel Fiander for another apple, and the apple is now kept in the science room.

By Braden Coughlan

Outdoor Pursuits Canoe Trip

Blackville Highschool's Outdoor Pursuits class went canoing last Friday in Blackville, click here for more pictures!

Tweeting CBC

Blackville School Grade 11 student Natalie Sturgeon uses Twitter and she is also very interested in pursuing a career in journalism. So it was not surprising that she followed Terry Seguin on Twitter. Mr. Seguin is, afterall, the host of CBC Radio One Information Morning Fredericton.

But it may be surprising that Natalie asked Mr. Seguin to visit Blackville School after reading on his Twitter account that he visited a school in Fredericton. Mr. Seguin replied in the positive, and on Friday morning, November 19, the CBC journalist and radio host made the trek from Fredericton to Blackville to speak to the Journalism 120 class.

The students had quite a few questions for the CBC journalist who spoke to them about a wide range of topics from journalism ethics to the interviewing process. He sparked a lot of interest among the students about considering a career in journalism, and many of the students stayed after his presentation to ask him more questions.

While Nathalie is not in Journalism 120 this year, she did attend the presentation and she was one of the students who spoke to Mr. Seguin after the presentation. Mr. Seguin asked the students who used Twitter to add him so they could continue the discussion.

Blackville School Terry Fox Walk

Student and teachers alike laced up their running shoes and started their 3km walk, on Wednesday, September 28 for National School Run Day, as the Terry Fox’s legacy continues at Blackville School.

Students from grades 6-12 started their journey from the Blackville School to the beginning of the Batholomew Road, and kindergarten to grade 5 did their contribution by walking around the school.

Students were asked to bring a loony that would go towards cancer research. The students were eager and willing to participate for a worthy cause.

For more photos from the event, click here.

by Nathalie Sturgeon