Ada Christian School believes that technology has become an important part of life and learning. Our Digital Classroom Initiative seeks to fufill our mission of “equipping students for service in God’s world" by dramatically enhancing our methods of educating through the use of technology.
Specific DCI goals:
- Equip students and staff 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 students develop a new set of knowledge and skills for the future world of work.
- 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 lifelong learners.
- Provide education staff with Professional Development opportunities to help them improve as teachers and discover new ways to teach and impact students for service in God’s world.
Transforming Instruction and Learning
Multiple dispensers of knowledge
The teacher is no longer the sole dispenser of knowledge. Knowledge is gained through access to multiple resources and is shared through other students as well as the teacher.
Independent learning
Encourage independent learning at the student’s own pace. Allow for extra time to enable slower learners to grasp new ideas, while quicker learners can move on to new material or further study the same concept.
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Avoid rote memorization; instead ask questions such as, “why?” “How does this affect God’s world?” “How does this affect me as a child of God?”
Collaboration and sharing
Promote collaborative learning and sharing of knowledge via group projects and team problem-solving.
Myriad information sources
Textbooks are no longer the sole source of information. Use the Internet to supplement and, when appropriate, replace aging textbooks as information sources.
Why Laptops and Digital Technology:
Complementary to our Mission
Modern technology helps us achieve our mission to “equip students for service in God’s world by integrating academic excellence with a distinctly Christian perspective.”
Independent learning and pace
1:1 computer access encourages independent learning at the student’s own pace and develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Student motivation
Computers offer unique ways of learning which motivates students to eagerly participate.
Continuity
Laptops that can be taken home provide seamless continuity on projects, homework, collaboration, and communication between teachers and students.
Consistent with educations trends
Our society has become increasingly dependent on technology. Computers are not a supplemental part, but an integral part of society and of the educational process.
Equal access
For assignments and projects involving technology, all students should have equal access to equipment at home as well as at school.
Embolden timid students
Computers allow for anonymous questioning from timid students.
Instant assessment
Computers enable teachers to instantly assess a class’s grasp of new concepts/information.
Limitless resources
The internet provides virtually unlimited, constantly updated, and in most cases, free resources, more extensive and more up-to-date information than aging textbooks can provide, and at a lower cost.
Future education/employment
Technology skills are crucial for future higher education and employment. Whether high school, college or beyond, skills and values taught at ACS provide an excellent foundation for the future of every student.
Discernment
Our children are already using technology – we can now teach time discernment and responsibility! As a Christian school, ACS is uniquely equipped to assist students in gaining the discernment and responsible use of technology.
Safety
We are sensitive to the need for security when using the Internet, and safeguards have been built into our planning and delivery of this service.
