Landell students compete in Orange County technology showcase

The following information was released by the Cypress School District.

The Landell Leopards recently competed against seven other Orange County student teams at the 2011 California Student Technology Showcase, part of the Orange County Computer-Using Educators Conference.

Before being invited to the showcase, the students were interviewed and videotaped to make sure their project met rigorous standards.

A group of Landell’s finest sixth graders worked together with Miss Pfafflin to develop an innovative new way to use technology in the classroom. Their project, “The Voice Behind the Story,” used the Internet-based application Voicethread.com to make their written stories and poems come to life.

Students first wrote and edited their own stories, then took pictures to support their story, and finally, they recorded their own voice to make their story complete. The goal is to add expression and tone to a story in which a reader may not fully grasp if just reading it silently.

Students presenting the project included Kristin Tsujimoto, Erin O’Crowley, Tyler Sultzer and Shannyn Karisawa.

Later this month, the student team will learn if they advance to the statewide conference held in Palm Springs this March. Whether they advance or not, they have learned skills to last them a lifetime.