Technology Takes Center Stage at Stuart Country Day

At Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, a dozen girls entered Dan Richardson's eighth grade science class and pulled out their iPads.

Walking up to a smartboard, each student scanned a barcode to download the class activity.

The students worked in small groups to title and label the graph on their screens that depicted the varying levels of oxygen gas bubbles with increasing amounts of light intensity on a plant.

Richardson walked around the room answering questions before explaining the process of photosynthesis.

The students also used their iPads to create short videos explaining the results of the previous week’s science lab.

Students then emailed the videos to Richardson, who explained that he will post each video online so students can critique each other’s work.

Technology in the classroom has become standard practice at Stuart, the all-girls private school in Princeton Township.

Stuart also upgraded its facilities to offer high speed wireless internet access throughout its campus. 

“It’s not just about teaching technology for technology’s sake, it’s about finding the right tool to deliver the concepts and skills that they need,” Richardson said. “I can’t teach them everything they need to be successful. What I can help them do is develop the skills needed to help them learn for themselves.”

Using its technology endowment and fundraising, Stuart bought iPads for each student in grades six through 12; every student was required to attend a three-hour session over the summer with a parent before receiving the equipment.

Stuart students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade have access to iPads on mobile carts.

School officials are clear the technology is about adding value to student learning.

“It’s all about adding value,” said Rose Wong, the school's director of cirriculum and faculty development. “Technology is the way students are comfortable learning. We’re not throwing out the paper and pen. It’s about balance and teaching our children about that balance.”

Every teacher at Stuart is required to have an online “Moodle page,” which includes course information and assignments. Students use iPads to write notes, highlight information on the screen, submit assignments, collaborate online with classmates, even take timed tests at home.

Four technology integrators at Stuart help faculty members with their Moodle pages; two work in the lower school, one in the middle school and one in high school.

The result? Backpacks are getting lighter, teachers and students are using less paper, said Robert Missonis, head of the middle school. 

Missonis, who also teaches history, said he’s reduced from two textbooks to one and is supplementing information with more current online resources.

“Students use technology from the moment they wake up,” Missonis said. “If we know that these are things they’re using, why not now bring them in and show them how to use them.”