Fontbonne Academy Introduces Tablet Instruction

Fontbonne Academy is proud to announce the introduction of a One-to-One learning initiative, using Apple iPads during the school year 2013-2014.  The Class of 2017, the current ninth grade, will be given iPads for the school year and usher in tablet learning for the school.  Fontbonne is the only Catholic girls school in the area with a comprehensive grade-based program of this kind.  The portable tablets offer more than 15,000 apps for education and will allow students to engage in their education at a different level than ever before.  Many text books will be available through the iPad and curriculums have been rewritten to leverage this new measure, allowing Fontbonne students to interact with educational content. 

With the school’s wireless system recently upgraded and the rollout of a student-teacher-parent portal on the website, called a learning management system, or LMS, students will be able to take full advantage of the technology. Fontbonne also installed Apple TV devices in every classroom this summer, enabling, among other things, the fluid use of projectors with iPads.  “We are making strides to enhance the educational experience at Fontbonne, and the measures we have taken for this school year are dramatic,” said Head of School, Mary Ellen Barnes, who orchestrated the leasing program for the iPads.  With such investment, Fontbonne is moving forward to meet the learning needs of its students.

The academy intends to expand this initiative to all grades in future years and is seeking support for the expansion. “Fontbonne is dedicated to preparing our students for success in the 21st century.  We do this by providing high caliber instruction and attentive individualized academic support.  We believe that the use of real-world technology will enhance this instruction and encourage active student engagement,” said Barnes.

Fontbonne teachers tested out the iPads last year and have gone through extensive training, including sessions that helped them explore the power and limitations of the device.  Thirty Fontbonne teachers will be using the device this fall, including the entire math, English, world languages and theology departments, supported by significant professional development.  “I am excited about using the iPad in my classes and understand that this first year will be critical to developing a curriculum that is truly engaging.  Students all have various learning styles and the iPad gives us another opportunity to reach students individually and to offer motivating and exciting ways to interact with content,” said Barbara Ryan, Chairperson of the English Department. 

The teachers spent a busy summer preparing their instruction, creating projects, and working with Instructional Technology Specialist, Jennifer Schein.  “We have a very dedicated group of educators who are ready for the fall program.  They’ve worked through the summer to make sure their classes have all the resources they need through the device,” she said, “I am here to support them.”  Ms. Schein developed extensive policies and procedures for students and the Fontbonne Learning Community for acceptable use of the iPad. 

This program underscores Fontbonne’s commitment to integrating technology into its curriculum.  Although traditional skill sets will always be valuable, there are roles and activities in the future economy that have yet to be defined. With the preparation they receive today, Fontbonne students will be poised to address those challenges and be leaders in the changing world.