We had a great experience at Donelson Christian Academy in Nashville on Monday, Sept. 29th. DCA is a school of over 900 students and has been existence for more than 30 years. Late last spring, middle school Principal Tim Pettit contacted Positive Action For Christ asking if DCA could use PAFC studies for a special digital version project their school was planning. Since then PAFC has partnered with DCA to help the school develop their very innovative program.
On the 29th Gerry & Connie Carlson were able to tour DCA and to see the program in action. Tim met us and showed us the facilities of this growing school on the northeast side of Nashville. Each student in the program has been outfitted with a
personalized tablet computer. The school website explains:Donelson Christian Academy launched a tablet initiative this year in grades six through eight (grades ten through twelve will launch next year). Each middle school student was issued a Dell Latitude XT tablet computer to be used as their primary learning tool. The tablet computer is loaded with Office 2007 and utilizes other educational software.
The tablet computers allow students to complete assignments electronically and provide electronic binders in which students can save notes and assignments. DCA teachers have established digital learning centers that extend learning outside the classroom walls.
Our first stop was the Help Desk that DCA has created to assist the students with their tablet computers. At the Help Desk students are able to have hardware and software issues resolved by several very knowledgeable staff members.
Our first stop was the Help Desk that DCA has created to assist the students with their tablet computers. At the Help Desk students are able to have hardware and software issues resolved by several very knowledgeable staff members.
Then Tim took us to a classroom where we were given a demonstration of how the classroom teacher presents our studies to the students. Positive Action curriculum materials are projected on a large screen at the front of the room and transmitted simultaneously to the individual student's tablet computer. Students have the capability, via Microsoft's OneNote program, to record their answers to the curriculum questions right on their personal tablet. These electronic worksheets can then be transmitted to the teacher via the OneNote program.
Students are able to type input into their tablets via a keyboard, or by writing on the screen with a stylus. DCA's goal is to have all of their secondary students using digital textbooks, thus eliminating costly and heavy books. Positive Action is glad to be on the cutting edge of helping this school, and other Christian schools, by using innovative technology to magnify the majesty of our
great God.
