Parents and faculty engaged in a thoughtful discussion about the school's technology initiative at the Parent Education Evening on February 24. The event was videotaped and is available to
watch online.
Head of School Peter Hutton opened by stressing that requiring laptops and using Web 2.0 technology in classrooms is not going to change the school's approach; rather, he said, the technology initiative is "another way to make Beaver better at being Beaver."
Assistant Head Rob Connor reported that the faculty is very enthusiastic about learning and incorporating the new digital tools because they understand how well they complement progressive teaching, with its emphasis on collaboration, creativity and innovation.
Guest presenter and BCDS parent Chris Dede, a professor at Harvard's Ed School and an expert on instructional technology, strongly endorsed the school's plan, saying, "I see this laptop initiative as empowering Beaver to do better what it already does so well. Technology is not an answer, it’s a tool."
Professor Dede stressed that research on instructional technology shows there are forms of learning and assessment that the new technology makes possible that aren’t possible otherwise, because the Internet creates "ecosystems" that extend beyond the classroom's walls and simulate real-world experiences. He has studied "blended" learning, which he said can be more powerful than both face-to-face or distance learning, because some students find their voices more readily through the type of mediated communication found in online forums. And, he said that ready and equal access to technology gives students the chance to learn essential 21st century skills in a controlled environment under the supervision of skilled teachers who can model appropriate online behavior and help them filter content.
Art teacher Meriah Burman described how she created a "Ning" site that has become a home base for students in all her classes. She said that her students’ in-class experience has not changed – they still make art with their hands – but that the Ning has changed the way she communicates with them outside of class. The Ning provides a forum to reflect on their creative process and to critique each other's work. The Ning is also a resource for further research and the equivalent of an online textbook; Ms. Burman has created a series of video tutorials to help students review and practice what they have learned in class. She said the Ning helps her track when students have completed homework assignments, and that she has been pleased to discover that they write more detailed and thoughtful reflections online than they used to in their sketchbooks.
History Department Chair Kader Adjout talked about using technology to share perspectives with students from schools around the world. His "Globalia" project will enable BCDS students to discuss and debate issues of global significance with contemporaries in the Asia and South America through live video chats on Skype.
Information Services and Library Director Kelley Connolly talked about creating the iTeach Ning as a way for BCDS teachers to share curriculum ideas and pedagogical strategies across grades and departments. She also talked about creating research "pathfinders" to guide students to a variety of academic databases and educational websites, weaning them away from Google and Wikipedia.
The open discussion that followed gave parents a chance to ask questions and make suggestions. The answers to some of those questions are posted in the FAQ section on the
technology page of the website. Additional questions and suggestions may be submitted on the same page.
