FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Front Range Christian School to Bring the iPad to the Classroom

LITTLETON, Colorado (March 3, 2011) - Front Range Christian School (FRCS) has created a plan to bring technology to the classroom through an 1-to-1 iPad initiative. Beginning in August, 2011, teachers at the private Christian school will use the technology in classrooms for both presentation of notes and as a tool to supplement curriculum with iPad apps. Several iPads will be available both in the elementary and secondary schools for students to receive hands-on training on the devices during classes of the first semester. Parents of middle and high school students are being asked to purchase an iPad for their students by January 2012, at which point the middle and high school students will use the technology to enhance their learning, both in the classroom and at home.

“As the world becomes increasingly digital, it is imperative that our school prepare students not only with the basic knowledge they need for college but also with the skills and tools they will need to be truly successful in today’s world,” says Dave Sherman, executive director of Front Range Christian Ministries. “Parents have been overwhelmingly positive about this initiative, both because they also recognize the need for technological advancement, and because we have announced that we will not raise tuition for the 2011/2012 academic year, which will allow parents to purchase iPads by Christmas.”

With average ACT scores around 25 (27 for students who have attended FRCS from at least third grade), the school believes that this technology initiative is a natural next step in preparing students for college. “We have some very gifted and intelligent students at FRCS,” says Dan Sarian, Director of Education and Spiritual Life. “This technology will allow us to continue to challenge our gifted students while also helping us approach learning from different perspectives for those of our students who struggle.”

The iPad has been praised by users and technology reviewers alike for its potential to “level the playing field” in education. Meredith Ely, LearnBoost Marketing and Community Manager, states, “With the enormous number of applications feeding into the iPad platform, learning experiences that call on students to engage in new, creative ways could be extended beyond the time that students spend in the classroom. The ease of use, mobility and interactive nature of the iPad lends the device to extending classroom experience meaningfully beyond what it is limited to currently.” (Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/meredith-ely/ipad2-education-technology_b_...)

While the iPad has not been thoroughly tested in primary and secondary education, there is evidence to suggest that tablet devices are the wave of the future in higher education. A recent study released by Reed College in Portland Oregon (http://web.reed.edu/cis/about/ipad_pilot/index.html) reports that the multi-function devices, such as the iPad, have the “potential to reduce the cost of textbooks and other printed course materials.” Several students who participated in the study also reported that the “quality of their notes increased” as a result of the highlighting and annotation features of the device. The study suggests that one of the most important features was the ability of students and faculty to “refer to texts during in-class discussions.” The study also points out some challenges with the devices, which include the handling of PDFs and the soft keyboard.

“We are encouraged by this study and with reports that we’ve received from other schools who have implemented the technology on a smaller scale,” says Sherman. “We believe this is the wave of the future, and we are excited to be one of the first schools in Colorado to be preparing our students for college and life in this way.”

To train teachers, FRCS has begun offering basic Apple product and software training. “It’s our hope,” says class instructor, Gayle Kakac, “to train Front Range Christian teachers not only to be proficient with the devices but also how to use them most effectively in their classrooms.” Classes are offered after school for all FRCS teachers. Classes include basic Mac training, training in Apple software products, such as Keynote and Pages, and integrating the technology and available apps into curriculum. The school plans to offer similar training, including internet safety, to parents for a nominal fee.

“We have complete confidence in Gayle’s abilities to prepare our teachers and parents for this leap in technology for the school,” says Sarian. Kakac earned her Master’s Degree in Administration, Supervision, and Curriculum Development: Instructional Technology from the University of Colorado in Denver; she is also currently working toward Apple certification for training and instruction.

In May, 2011, following the completion of training, teachers will be given an iPad to practice what they’ve learned and to begin creating lesson plans that incorporate the new technology and its apps. Over the summer, the school will overhaul the internet systems on its campus, including the purchase and installation of an additional T1, high speed lines with routers, and multiple access points to allow for a completely wireless campus. The school also plans to purchase 75 iPads over the summer for use in classrooms. “Our goal is to have 25 iPads at the K-6 campus and have 50 at the high school,” says Sarian. “During the first semester, we will transition to using apps in the classroom. Our technology initiatives include providing each classroom with a working projector or SMART Board and connections to the teachers iPads to facilitate interaction with students.”

FRCS hopes that the benefit to students will extend beyond the classroom. “We’ll be encouraging students to create digital portfolios of their time with us,” states Sarian. “These portfolios will include presentations and reports, journal entries, videos, and much more. The possibilities for students to share and remember what they’ve already learned and mastered, makes the device valuable for students wishing to excel at the collegiate level. Not only will it help prepare them for what they will experience in college, it will give them skills that will help them in their future careers.”

FRCS has received grants, both from foundations and individual families, to begin the implementation of this initiative. “We are honored and encouraged that the community would choose to partner with us in this way, and we trust that God will provide the remaining funds through other generous gifts from our community,” says Sherman. “We truly believe that this is the next step in fulfilling our mission, which is to partner with the Christian home to prepare kids for life and equip them to impact the world for Christ.”

Front Range Christian School is a private Christian school located in Littleton, Colorado. Nearly 400 students in preschool through high school receive a quality education in a “distinctively Christian” and “educationally excellent” environment. The school is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the North Central Association (NCA), and is a 501(c)3 institution. More information about the school can be found on its website at www.frcs.org.

Contact:

DJ Turner, Communications Director

djturner@frcs.org