february 2012
ARTEMIS MAGAZINE
constructing, connecting & collaborating: USING DIGITAL TOOLS IN THE CLASSROOM
Technology has a very real impact on our everyday lives. These tools—from Smartphones to tablets to personal computers—are integrated into our daily routines and seem omnipresent. As a consequence, new paradigms
4
In the News
7
Cultivating Independent Thinking
8
Community Service Highlights
13 Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Joe Busch 14 Athletics Highlights 18 Alumnae Notes 24 Alumnae Profiles
for learning have developed which purposefully and naturally integrate digital tools. The implementation of Archer’s 1 to 1 Laptop Program was just the first step in reflecting this reality in our classrooms and how pedagogies have emerged to adapt these new 21st century tools. Access to technology allows students and faculty to explore, create, and innovate while constructing new types of knowledge. As Middle
School Director Karen Pavliscak reflected, the use of digital tools should not merely be used because they are available, rather they should be utilized because they offer the possibility to build skills and literacy – constructing new modes of discovery for every type of learner represented in the classroom. The strategic use of technology creates a globally connected environment where students share experiences and knowledge with other people around the world. The intentional use of digital tools is aligned with Archer’s constructivist approach to pedagogy which focuses on student-centered and controlled learning. By providing opportunities to use these tools to enhance their understanding, students are able to think critically and creatively about what they are experiencing. The intended result is that students will not just passively learn, but actively engage in a dialogical approach with their teachers, other students, and themselves about what they have discovered. There is a plethora of tangible and effective uses of digital tools in Archer classrooms. From accessing Google Docs to share notes and peer edit an essay, to creating instructive films using iMovie, Archer teachers and students determine the best way to use these tools to create collaborative and complementary learning experiences. The examples shared on the following pages are just a few of the cutting-edge ways our community is using these 21st century skills and tools. (continued on pg. 10)
