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Eight years ago, after extensive research and talks with administration, Springside’s technology team decided on a major paradigm shift: traditional, stand-alone computer classes would be phased out. Technology would be woven into the school’s curriculum at all levels. Shortly after, we became one of the first fully wireless campuses in the country. Next, a Pre-K–12 faculty team explored what a classroom should look like in the new millennium. The result, all 75 classrooms at Springside are equipped with a SMART Board (an electronic whiteboard that allows a teacher to project a computer screen onto the board and interact with it at the board), ceiling-mounted projector, DVD player, and audio system. Combined with teacher and student laptops, as well as our 35 Mb Internet connection, this creates a powerful learning environment that is only limited by the imagination of our students or top-flight faculty.

Head of School Dr. Priscilla Sands notes, “The most sophisticated technology is only a good investment if teachers and students use it effectively. Recent research strongly suggests that when individuals learn in context and in communities, skills are more readily internalized and thus become long-term tools for practical use. Therefore, we determined that we must embed technology skills into the classroom and connect them directly to meaningful learning.”

Today, the technology infusion is even more prevalent. Our Lower and Middle Schools are equipped with Technology Labs and four MacBook laptop carts. The Upper School has three MacBook laptop carts and one PC laptop cart, and the school recently launched a 1:1 laptop program for students. In total, there are 565 computers available for teachers and students throughout our campus and to take home. Faculty members also have laptop computers with the same software and programs as the student laptops. Faculty can take their laptops home with them to communicate with students, work on lesson plans, and collaborate with colleagues. The Science Department has 50 Lego Robotics kits that are integrated into the Science curriculum beginning in 4th grade. We have also begun creating physical spaces in our school that reflect our philosophy. Springside’s new ViDCAST Studio is an innovative digital video classroom that fosters interest in the latest technology in a completely hands-on way. The new 700-square-foot studio turns computers into an integral part of students’ everyday lives as they create video, compose music, and project manage their peers. The success of the ViDCAST Studio has led us to rethink our Lower and Middle School Tech Labs as well as our Library Instructional Room, which is home to our student tech leader group iSITE (interactive Springside Innovative Technology Education). Armed with laptops, the iSITE Team has quickly become a national model and is presenting at this year’s National Educational Computing Conference (as are our Middle School Tech Leaders).

Springside continues to reinvent education with initiatives like online blended courses, going mobile with laptops and handhelds, and our iSITE program. This all happens with students at the center of the conversation, thinking about how to best prepare them for a future that doesn’t yet exist while partnering with outside experts that can help guide us and provide the knowledge and collaboration platforms we need.