The story goes that when Rip Van Winkle woke from his hundred-year nap, the one place he still felt at home was in a school because it had changed so little during his sleep. The sad truth is that most American education is still functioning on old paradigms. The world that our graduates will enter when they leave Legacy will demand creative problem solving, technological expertise and the ability to work collaboratively. We are committed to a robust and challenging curriculum that will prepare them for a life of significance and service. The infusion of technology as a teaching and learning tool enhances our students’ ability to access information and use that information to creatively solve problems. Because our secondary students all have laptops, learning is no longer limited to the classroom and during school hours. Interactive white boards in most classrooms makes learning active and engaging. Computer instruction in all elementary classrooms begins the process of infusing curriculum with technology.
In November 2010, all 7-12 graders received a Macbook laptop to use for the school year. This direct infusion of technology into all secondary classrooms is part of our 21st Century Learning model. The reasons for this “one-to-one” program are many. The following are just some of the highlights:
- Increase creativity and innovation. Give all students the ability to create content for presentations.
- Access to information for research. Gain skills not only in finding appropriate information but also in discerning its reliability, appropriately crediting that information, and synthesizing and applying information.
- Collaboration with classmates using google docs and other collaboration tools.
- Communicate with teachers and fellow students and others around the globe.
- Become fluent in the use of technology, a skill that will certainly be important both for further education and for the workplace.
- Become a responsible digital citizen. Learn appropriate use of technology.
- Develop time management/work organization skills.
- 24/7 work with equal access to technology for all Legacy students.
- Critical thinking, problem solving and decision making are all enhanced as laptops bring simulation and visualization tools into the classroom.
