UTSA's La Clase Mágica after-school program introduces kids to technology
UTSA education majors use latest technology to teach students at Las Palmas Elementary

UTSA education majors use latest technology to teach students at Las Palmas Elementary
(Nov. 15, 2011) -- The Academy for Teacher Excellence in the UTSA College of Education and Human Development will celebrate Nov. 15 the successful third year of La Clase Mágica, its ongoing, bilingual afterschool technology program. The end-of-the-semester gathering of students, parents and undergraduate teacher candidates is 4-5 p.m. at Las Palmas Elementary in the Edgewood ISD.
From 4 to 4:30 p.m., short videos created by participants will be shown in the library. The videos highlight involvement in the program, the types of activities and lessons they’ve learned, and how the program has brought families closer together. From 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., students and families will meet in the cafeteria to have dinner, receive their certificates and participate in a raffle of an iPad and Flip camera.
La Clase Mágica exposes 23 low-income, Latina/Latino elementary-school students to the latest technological advancements through one-on-one collaborations with UTSA undergraduate teacher candidates who are preparing to be bilingual teachers.
Participants meet each week at Las Palmas Elementary under the guidance of a site coordinator and a UTSA professor. This semester, students explored and completed numerous digital task cards on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The 23 students’ technological access was broadened through the use of iPads, allowing the students to discover at an early age how to skillfully navigate touch-screen technology and smartphone apps.
The program includes a parental involvement component that provides parents with access to technology via monthly workshops. La Clase Mágica is modeled on a program developed in 1989 by Olga Vásquez at the University of California at San Diego.
Events
Tour the new Blackboard homepage, navigation, and features for the upcoming semester. The agenda includes an Introduction to Blackboard Cloud, a tour of the new Blackboard homepage and navigation; review improvements to course management, and a question and answer session.
Virtual EventHelp us welcome back Campus Recreation with our VIP Day. Sign up for your social-distanced tour where you will get to experience some of the incredible programs and offerings we are bringing you this semester.
Recreation Center, Main CampusThe Welcome Back Social is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. You can also win some prizes! Playfair is a high-spirited, high-energy event that allows students to interact with each other and laugh with each other and feel a part of an exciting campus community. This year, we feature Playfair Online! as part of the event.
Virtual EventJoin us to kickoff the spring semester! We will have events happening all week and please participate in all that you can. Learn about upcoming opportunities within your academic department in virtual sessions with faculty, alumni, and student organizations. This is a great way to get involved in the UTSA COE/CACP community.
Virtual EventThe Adobe Creative Campus Kickoff will introduce students to Adobe software and how they can use it to produce professional content for their courses. Students will learn about UTSA’s Adobe Creative Campus program and how they can access the software. Time permitting, there will be an overview of Adobe Creative Cloud.
Virtual EventWant to study abroad but aren't sure where to start? Our Study Abroad Information Session is a great way to hear about the options available to those interested in pursuing a global academic experience! Here you can learn about program types, scholarships, and other essential information!
Virtual EventTune in to learn about the best picks for having an easy and fun digital Spring. We will be introducing you to the new Blackboard experience and showing you how to access essential digital tools that are free! In this session, you’ll find resources that are UTSA exclusive.
Virtual Event