Holland Christian SchoolsTeacher feedback

The Holland Christian Web Site Lists their Technology Beliefs:Technology is changing the way teachers and students interact with each other.

Technology is becoming an increasingly critical part of the learning experience

and curriculum delivery as well as meeting the mission of the school.

We desire that teachers know fully how the wise use of technology can be used

to enrich the learning experience.

Technology is expanding the classroom

experience beyond traditional time and

space limits.

The Holland Christian Web Site Lists their Technology Beliefs:

Students are “wired” differently today and technology enables us respond more

effectively to learner needs.

As Christians it is critical that we continue to teach students discernment and

ethical use of technology.

We live in a visual society and we need to teach students to use technology

effectively so they can be salt and light in the world.

A common level of accessibility to technology is essential for students, teachers,

and parents.

We need to continue to teach technological literacy and continue to evaluate what

that means as new technologies emerge and old technology becomes obsolete.

HCS Technology Goals:Equip students to use technology to impact the world for Christ.

Teach students discernment and the ethical use of technology.

Improve the quality of student learning and academic achievement as they develop a new set of knowledge and skills for the future world of work.

HCS Technology Goals:

Provide greater access to educational opportunities, formative assessments, and differentiated instruction by providing one to one access to laptops for students for anytime, anywhere learning.

Improve communication and widen our sense of community by expanding the way teachers, students, and parents are able to interact with each other.

Equip students to be life long learners.

We were reassured to hear -

Teachers had 1 year to train with the laptops before students got laptops. Thatwould not only give time to learn thevarious programs, but also collect ideas for appropriate activities.

There was ample and continuous staff development.

Patience of administration

We enjoyed talking to the teachers and staff.

Teachers were given permission to fail so they could find what would work best for their various levels of students.

Talking with the teachers indicated that they seemed to really enjoy the challenge of what they were teaching.

It seemed a little less overwhelming to hear that they had -

The help desk to reduce classroom interruptions when computer issues came up.

An automatic backup system for the laptops when they entered the building.

A tech class to teach the students how to use the various programs on the Mac. (9 weeks of art alternating with 9 weeks of tech in 7th grade.)

Opportunities for a mixture of high-tech and traditional teaching methods.

We noticed that technology -

Allowed a greater level of differentiation for each class.

Provided the possibility for a variety of teaching methods.

Engaged the students so that they stayed on task for the most part.

Allowed the school to display information throughout the building at all times with flat screen tvs and directly tofamilies through emails.

Good ideas -

Students keep the same laptop for a period of years to hold them accountable.

There appear to be many programs online to help keep the students engaged and teachers connected to student progress.

Students will be prepared for real world collaboration/technology.

Other things we liked -

Every laptop came with a case and insurance.

All internet runs through the school servers and filters, even when not at school.

Things we liked

Students were allowed some freedom to move around in the building to collaborate on projects.

Things we liked about the building -

The warm atmosphere!

Carpeted halls to buffer the noise.

Lots of color on the walls.

Open spaces.

Things we are concerned about -

(Students said) sometimes teachers aren’t aware of students who aren’t on task.

It is overwhelming to think of building lessons on our own.

New students can be overwhelmed to learn all of thesoftware that is so integralin the classrooms.

We were told that testscores were not significantlybetter, so is it worth thecost educationally?

The Technology Teamwas impressed with -

The help desk

The use of Moodle

Use of Wikis

Google Docs

Why did Hollandchoose Apple?

Apple does the most to support education.

Their laptops are more durable.

Kids love the software! (iWork, iLife)

Seamless transition in the classroom. (Open the lid and it’s ready to go)

Holland Website Links

• 1 to 1 Program Overview

• Teacher Tech Integration Blog

• Holland Tech Blog

• 2007 One to One Action Research (172 pages)