TECHNOLOGY & LEARNING

Giving Students the Power

Implementation Plan and Priorities

THE POWER TO

Connect

In April of 2012, The Grosse Pointe Academy Technology Committee presented

a plan to support student-centered, experiential learning in the 21st century and
to ensure the unimpeachable quality of the Academy Advantage.
Based upon this vision, the Academy undertook a technology fund raising initiative
at the Live Action Auction on May 12, 2012, raising over $275,000 to support the
purchase of new equipment, infrastructure and software, and to provide professional development for faculty.

THE POWER TO

Be Independent

Through the generous financial support of our families and friends, the Academy
was able to significantly accelerate the implementation of the initial plan to accomplish the following for the start of the 2012-13 school year:
Replace all computers in the library and computer lab with 34 Apple iMac
desktops
Upgrade all classroom computers in grades 1-5 with two Apple iMac
desktops per room
Provide five mobile classroom sets of 17 Apple iPads for student use
Position 20 interactive document cameras and projectors around the school
for teacher instruction and student demonstration
Replace teacher desktops with 36 Apple MacBook laptops
Add wireless access points throughout the school to ensure seamless wireless
coverage

THE POWER TO

Engage

THE POWER TO

Collaborate

THE POWER TO

Communicate

The use of these new technologies will serve curriculum goals to reinforce skills
in a non-traditional way while providing real world simulations and hands-on enrichment activities; in short, technology is a tool for active, student-centered learning. It is not enough to simply put devices in students hands and assume that they
will learn. Instead, technology at GPA is designed to help students explore new
avenues, demonstrate learning in different ways, and be more productive. Through
the use of technology, teachers will continue to challenge each student to develop
to his or her maximum potential, instruction will be more individualized, and students will master the skills necessary to be engaged, confident, and productive
learners.

A 21st Century Curriculum

Central to the implementation of
our technology plan is the redesign
of our curriculum. While there are
many traditional elements that we
will safeguard, a curriculum for the
twenty-first century will require us
to carefully examine and update our
current curriculum and methods.

THE POWER TO

Learn

Such improvements will serve to extend students conceptual understandings, facilitate differentiated
instruction that meets each learner
where he or she is, and allow for
deeper extension and the pursuit of
individual interests. At the same
time, the new technologies will
spark critical thinking and problem
solving, increase communication,
spur collaboration, and foster
greater creativity and innovation.
Faculty Training in the Curricular Uses of Technology
The success of a technology-enriched program rests with Academy teachers integrating the new equipment and devices into classroom learning. The school has
identified two avenues for providing effective professional development for our
faculty.
First, a Technology & Learning Specialist faculty position was created to train and
team with classroom teachers in the use of technology to support instruction. Additionally, the school has retained the services of Educational Collaborators, a nationally-known consulting firm made up of independent school educators, to help
create our professional development model, provide technical support and training,
and assist in program evaluation.

THE POWER TO
FUTURE PRIORITIES

Succeed

Equipment and infrastructure

needs continue to be assessed, and
in the near future, the school looks
to complete the Technology Plan
by:
purchasing additional document
cameras and projectors in order
to have one per classroom
developing a 1-to-1 iPad program
in grades 6-8
continuing to identify and
acquire the software and
hardware necessary to support
a culture of innovation.

The Academy is grateful to all of the donors who have partnered

with the school to support new technology implementation to date.
If you would like to take part in this exciting initiative, please contact
the Advancement Department.
Visit our social media sites at gpacademy.org

The advantage lasts a lifetime.