Elementary students receive college education

Nicholls State University teachers in training are using technology to enhance elementary education at a level as early as pre-school.

Through Skype, Adobe Connect, and Google Chat, aspiring teachers in Nicholls’ College of Education are offering two services to four elementary schools.

The services are “the very definition of service learning, a practice to which Nicholls is committed,” said Cynthia Vavasseur, assistant professor of education and an instructional technology specialist for the College of Education.

Spanish Lake Primary and St. John Primary, both located in Prairieville, and St. Bernadette Elementary School in Houma have signed up for “Story Time with the Colonels,” which is geared toward children in preschool or kindergarten.

The program includes virtual book readings, puppet shows and theatre, all performed by Nicholls undergraduate students.

Fifth graders at South Thibodaux Elementary School are participating in a virtual reading program consisting of one-on-one sessions called “Colonel Chat.”

Tobey Naquin, a graduate student in the university’s education technology leadership program, is coordinating the program for Nicholls students.

Elementary school teachers and administrators in Louisiana who would like to learn more about the technological outreach initiatives should contact Vavasseur at cynthia.vavasseur@nicholls.edu or Courtney Robert, graduate assistant, at crobert3@its.nicholls.edu.