New Technologies are Rolled Out

In September two significant technology changes were introduced, following more than two years of stakeholder engagement, planning and testing. Benjie Messinger-Barnes, the Director of Online Learning & Education Technology, comments, “We choose technology that best supports teaching and learning practices at Friends. Although many have experienced screen fatigue over the last two years and have taken learning offline where appropriate, it’s also important to remember that leveraging the right technology, at the right time, can significantly enhance teaching and learning.’

All Middle School students transitioned from iPads to ChromeBooks. This new intuitive device offers a range of advantages including: a full keyboard for more accurate and correct typing; improved content filtering to ensure it’s used for academic purposes only; and full integration with the web-based Google Suite that has fewer clicks and makes sharing and collaboration easier. Benjie comments, “When viewed through the lens of child protection, ChromeBook is a great choice. All information is backed up and secure. The ability to tailor the overall look and feel in developmentally appropriate ways by grade is another advantage.”

Canvas, a new Learning Management System (LMS), is the digital framework for all aspects of the learning process and was rigorously tested before being chosen as the school’s next LMS in June 2021. Benjie used the next 15 months to learn the system inside and out and design approaches to help train teachers and students on how to use it. This paved the way for a good transition in September. Benjie comments, “It’s been smooth sailing so far, but in year one, there’s a lot of learning to do. We are working closely with teachers and students to open digital doors, which will make everyone’s work more visible for greater coordination, collaboration and accountability.”