Semmes Elementary School
Eagle Eye Digital Media
Mobile County Schools
Principal: Mrs. Jennifer Fetner
Superintendent: Mr. Chresal Threadgill
The Eagle Eye Digital Media Program at Semmes Elementary School was designed to address declines in student achievement, engagement, and attendance while supporting implementation of Alabama’s Digital Literacy and Computer Science standards. Following decreases in academic performance and increased chronic absenteeism, the school established a full-time technology teacher position to provide instructional support, expand access to technology, and promote student-centered learning. The program served all K–5 students and faculty through a structured, year-long model that included quarterly problem-based learning (PBL) projects, weekly student-led broadcasts, monthly student-created podcasts, and daily academic reinforcement using Digital Media Players. These components ensured consistent, school-wide integration of technology and alignment across grade levels. Students participated in interdisciplinary PBL experiences that emphasized collaboration, creativity, and real-world application. Projects included research presentations, hands-on STEM models, and a fifth-grade peer mentorship STEM Day, during which students designed and led instructional activities for younger peers. These opportunities strengthened leadership skills and deepened content understanding. The student-led broadcast team promoted school culture and attendance through engaging campaigns, contributing to a significant decrease in chronic absenteeism. Digital Media Players further reinforced academic skills by showcasing student-created content. As a result, the school experienced measurable improvements, including increased academic achievement, higher engagement, full DLCS implementation, and a substantial reduction in absenteeism.
