Coming soon... Technological Enhancements & Integration
The second initiative of WMS's 2013-16 Strategic Plan reflects our commitment to "advancing and sustaining WMS as a premier and forward-thinking Montessori school." Enhancements to the school's technology and STEM curriculum are key goals for within this initiative. With this in mind, months have been spent developing a technology plan that not only reflects current thinking about technology in education but also honors our Montessori environment and philosophy. We are pleased to announce that implementation of the plan has begun.
Our first steps have included replacing hardware such as laptops and cameras to provide our staff and students with the tools they need to smoothly integrate technology into their daily work. Many staff members received new laptops last week and more are on their way. In addition, we purchased new cameras to support work that is happening in the 9-12 program. In January, the students created storyboards and filmed short movies that shared their vision of the future of technology in schools.
These videos were submitted as part of the White House's first student film festival, and we await the results. So much learning occurred during this process.
This spring, we will begin the first steps of our iPad initiative. Each teacher will receive an iPad by the end of the school year. They will attend professional development over the summer to experience some ways in which they can be used in the classroom and integrated into lessons in the year ahead. Next fall, each 9-12 student will receive his/her own iPad. There will also be a cart of iPads available for other classrooms to use. This is the hardware that will be visible. What you won't see is the hard work that goes behind the acquisition of these tools.
We are beginning to integrate our specials programs into the classrooms each and every day. Technology is the first special to be fully integrated into each classroom. It will be apparent in each classroom each day. Children will not be leaving the classroom to learn these skills; instead, they will experience technology as part of all of their learning. This will look different at each age level, based on what is age-appropriate. The teachers will work collaboratively with an instructional technology coach who can model and guide to get the full benefits of the new hardware.
Teachers are excited about these changes. They are already thinking about ways to enrich the children's experience and share your child's world with you throughout the day.
Stay tuned for more to come. This is just the beginning, and as we close out the school year, we will have more to share about the technology landscape that lies ahead.
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Everything on a tablet - White House Video Project
Watch more videos by the 9-12 students. |
WMS Dads and Other Special Friends - Please join us tomorrow! 
Annual Meeting Summary