Academic Enhancement ACSI Region: Southern California

Red Hill Lutheran School

Soaring with Technology Program Objective: to integrate technology fully into the academic curriculum, by strengthening it and supporting it, to engage students in authentic, engaging learning experiences that have meaningful purposes and that build student achievement Summary of Program Red Hill Lutheran School students are greatly benefiting from their school’s commitment to technology integration. The innovations have been coming nearly as quickly as the changes in technology. After becoming completely wireless four years ago, each classroom received two new computers that have Internet access. A generous donation to the school allowed for the purchase of laptops for every teacher and a stateof-the art computer lab with 25 new computers. The school is fortunate enough to have a full-time computer teacher for all students in kindergarten through grade 8. Students can have additional technology experiences during the after-school Computer Club enrichment program. Red Hill considers staff development important, thus supporting teachers in their efforts to integrate technology into the curriculum. They receive training on computerized assessments such as the DIBELS literacy assessment, the Star Reading assessment, and Accelerated Reader. The teachers keep grades by using computerized grade books; they also produce weekly newsletters in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher. The school encourages the teachers to teach with—not about—technology, and the teachers attend training on best practices for enhancing student learning through technology. In accordance with this philosophy, a Red Hill teacher recently received a grant through the Best Buy Teach Awards that will allow for continued enhancement of the

school’s technology program through the purchase of laptop computers for the classrooms. Besides attending computer class at least once a week, students experience computer-based lessons with their teachers because each classroom has both a computer projector with access to the Internet and the standards-based video service called unitedstreaming. Further using technology, the teachers enhance classroom lessons by using other Web-based sources and by designing PowerPoint presentations. The middle school science laboratory has a Smart Board interactive whiteboard, which allows students to interact with science in ways that would normally not exist within the walls of a classroom. The students also work with digital computerized thermometers

comment on blogs about what they are reading. Classes often use “webquests” to enrich literature studies. Our school believes in alternative forms of assessment that allow students to demonstrate their multiple intelligences. Students can use technology— such as when they create PowerPoints, videos, and computer graphics—to demonstrate what they have learned. By the end of 8th grade, students have thorough knowledge of Microsoft products and can use them to create résumés, business letters, memos, and other documents that are practical, reallife applications. Red Hill helps students develop their research skills early. Upon graduation, students can formulate a research question, find information, cite sources, and present their work according to the Modern Language Associa-

A classroom response system allows for up-to-theminute assessment and thus ensures that all students are learning. and computerized microscopes. A classroom response system allows for up-to-the-minute assessment and thus ensures that all students are learning. Every classroom has a digital camera for student projects. In middle school, the students have the opportunity to create the school yearbook online, publish the school newspaper through desktop publishing, and create multimedia projects that include digital videos. At the ACSI Technology Fair, these projects achieved best-of-show and blue ribbon status. All students in grades 3 and up must bring USB memory sticks to school so that they can save work in electronic portfolios. Many assignments require computer skills so that students are preparing for the technology-rich world of the future. Students have posted book reviews on Amazon.com. They participate in online book clubs and

tion (MLA) format—all by using their technology skills. Red Hill students are living in a world filled with technology. Through the program Soaring with Technology, students are engaging in learning in a meaningful educational environment that will provide a strong foundation for their future. School Profile Grade Levels: EE–8 Enrollment: 267 Year Founded: 1961 Chief Administrator: Leslie Smith Contact Name: Lisa Tarkoff Mailing Address: 13200 Red Hill Ave Tustin, CA 92780 Phone: 714-544-3132 Fax: 714-544-8176 Email: [email protected] Website: www.redhillschool.org

Exemplary School Programs | CSE Convention Special | 2007–2008

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