A-C Central C.U.S.D. #262 has been a leader in integrating information and communication technology (ICT) into teaching and learning and, with the ClassMates program, is poised to take the next step on that path of enhancing and transforming student learning.
We live in a changing world. ICT is rapidly transforming our society. While computers were only a few decades ago expensive devices reserved for special purposes, we are now flooded with a variety of low-cost mobile electronic devices. This proliferation of increasingly affordable, powerful, and portable computing devices and the immense information, communication, and collaboration medium of the Internet presents a tremendous opportunity for enhancing education.
The ClassMates launch at A-C Central C.U.S.D. #262 is in-line with educational best practice. In its 2010 National Education Technology Plan, the U.S. Department of Education set the goal “that every student and educator has at least one Internet access device and software and resources for research, communication, multimedia content creation, and collaboration for use in and out of school.” The ClassMates program also represents a substantial step toward fulfilling the A-C Central C.U.S.D. #262 Technology Integration Plan.
That student learning benefit is the driver behind the ClassMates initiative. From text and instant messaging to Facebook to YouTube, today’s kids know how to use technology for communication and entertainment. But we have just scratched the surface of leveraging technology as a tool for learning. We know that A-C Central C.U.S.D. #262 students, already well-grounded in traditional academic content, well-rounded in art, music, physical education, and extra-curricular activities, if also savvy with the productive uses of technology, will have a distinct advantage in high school and beyond.
That student learning benefit is the driver behind the ClassMates initiative. From text and instant messaging to Facebook to YouTube, today’s kids know how to use technology for communication and entertainment. But we have just scratched the surface of leveraging technology as a tool for learning. We know that A-C Central C.U.S.D. #262 students, already well-grounded in traditional academic content, well-rounded in art, music, physical education, and extra-curricular activities, if also savvy with the productive uses of technology, will have a distinct advantage in high school and beyond.
We believe that providing a reliable standard tablet computer for each student (a “ClassMate”) will be a powerful aid to accelerate learning. The ePAL acronym also provides a framework for understanding this learning benefit:
- Engagement + Efficiency
- Personalization
- Anytime, Anywhere Access
- Learning
This framework encompasses the following benefits:
Efficiency
- Instant information
- All-in-one organizer
- Class time savings
- Cart, boot, logon time
- Instant eHand-outs
- Time-shifting activities
- Prep time savings
- Assignment posting & submission
- Paper & toner savings
Engagement
- Interaction
- Collaboration
- Student-centered
- Hands-on
Personalization
- Individualized attention
- Differentiated instruction
- Multiple learning styles, multiple media
- Student-paced mastery
- Assistive technology
Access
- Anytime, anywhere
- Instant, searchable:
- Notes
- Assignments
- Resources
- Pen input allows applications across all disciplines
Learning
- Motivation to learn
- Rigor via relevance
- Higher-order thinking
- 21st Century Skills
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Information Literacy
- ICT Skills
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