Story & Photos by Michael Brunk

As data is displayed on a wall screen via a digital projector, participants sitting at tables provide input using wireless, hand-held devices. Nearby are racks of net books, available for projects or research. The leader is using a wireless pad to control the flow of information appearing on the screen.

You might think you’re in a high-tech corporate boardroom, but in fact this is just another day in Marianne Shibly’s 4th to 6th grade English Language Learners (ELL) classroom at Gregory Heights Elementary School right here in Burien.

On Thursday, April 29th, Gregory Heights principal Phil Robinson and teacher Marianne Shibly hosted an open house to demonstrate what is being called the “21st Century Classroom.” The purpose of the event was to share with representatives from other Highline School District schools, parents and members of the press how technology is being used to support teaching in a multi-language classroom.

The students in Mrs. Shibly’s classroom come from a variety of cultures, but are united by the fact that English is not their first language. In some cases, they also lack grounding in basic learning skills that would also put them at a disadvantage in a regular classroom setting. In the ELL class they receive the teaching they need to ultimately transition into classes with their peers at Gregory Heights.

The technology is a fundamental part of the learning experience for these students. Funding through several special grants has allowed this classroom to be equipped with a digital video projector, net books for each student and a Student Response System (SRS) that allows each student to interact with a central classroom computer using a small, hand-held “clicker.”

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