Ridgefield teachers use new tech to teach

RIDGEFIELD — Teachers at Ridgefield School District have found creative ways to teach over the past year while students continue to learn remotely during the pandemic. For physical education, teachers at Ridgefield High School use a program called PLT4M to track students’ workouts, progress and fitness test achievements from a desktop or smartphone. “Our general P.E. classes are using very fitness-oriented programs requiring only equipment that students can create using their backpacks, water jugs, broomsticks, etc.,” teacher Ted Beyer said. Meanwhile, wood and metal shop teacher Chris Shipp moved as much of his class as he could online, filming himself creating projects alone in the shop. Lastly, band teacher Stephanie Bloom has been teaching students to play instruments over Zoom. “I spent a lot of time watching videos — which meant I might have to hear ‘Hot Cross Buns’ for the 78th time,” she said in a news release.