Program Details

How did the Mobile Technology Program originate at the Academy?

Mobile technology has a rich history at the Academy. During the 2001-2002 school year, a committee investigated the educational use of laptops in schools and developed recommendations for the potential implementation of a laptop program at the Academy. Educators from a range of grade levels and content areas served on the Laptop Investigation Committee. Members visited schools with successful laptop programs, including sister schools in and out of state. Numerous case studies and research articles were examined. Based on the work of the committee, a vision to provide students with wireless, networked technologies to expand and deepen their educational experience was developed.

Called the Mobile Technology Program, teacher training was the first item to be addressed. Educators in the fall of 2002 voluntarily committed themselves to 60 hours of professional development to increase their technology integration and productivity skills. Based on National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers, faculty members were granted use of laptop computers in exchange for their professional development commitment. New faculty members annually join the Mobile Technology Program. The introduction of Tablet PCs has faculty members committing themselves to additional professional development to better use these tools for learning with students.

Students were introduced to mobile technologies in the fall of 2002 with two mobile carts of laptops that were wireless connected to the Internet. However, the first truly personal computers didn't reach student hands until January 2004. This was the kick off date for the Learning with Laptops Program for Upper School students. With this program, Upper School families purchased laptop bundles for students creating a one-to-one computing environment in the Upper School. With Tablet PCs being adopted for the fall of 2006, students will have the flexibility to type with a keyboard or write on the screen. In curricular areas where equations, formulas, and drawings are essential, the Tablet PC is a natural choice.

Part of the Academy’s Mobile Technology Program, the Tablet PC Program was born from a feasibility study in early 2006. A committee of Sacred Heart educators synthesized Tablet PC case studies and research articles, interviewed educators using tablets from local and Network schools, and product tested five different Tablet PCs. The recommendation of the investigation committee was to start utilizing tablet technology for incoming ninth graders and faculty members during the 2006-2007 school year.