Did you know that 41% of teens describe themselves as "addicted" to their cell phones?
Obviously, "digital" is a big deal in our world and learning to navigate a connected world with discernment, safety, and love for others is a critical life skill that our kids need to learn. What is digital addiction, anyway, and how can you recognize it? How can teens use digital tools to actually accomplish good in our world? Is there a "Christian" approach to digital interaction? Portland Christian is exploring these questions with a new Digital Discipleship program for junior and senior high school students. These sessions will focus on how to navigate our digital world as a follower of Christ -- teaching students to glorify God through how they treat others on the internet and how to influence the world without being influenced by it. Watch a short clip of the first session.
Interested in some Digital Life Family Tips for Middle & High School students? Download the Common Sense Tip Sheet here.
Read a letter from the Jr/Sr HS Principal explaining Portland Christian's Digital Discipleship program.
Parents/Guardians,
Portland Christian Jr/Sr High School will prepare students for 21st century living and working, but most importantly, with the intention of fulfilling the “Great Commission”…
Matthew 28:16-20 New International Version (NIV)
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We recognize that students today need to be prepared for a world that is increasingly connected through technology. In order to be successful, they will need to be comfortable with using technology for multiple purposes. It is our responsibility to prepare students for this future- at work or home, in personal use, in church/mission field, and at college. State and local organizations have recognized this as well and established standards for what they believe students should know and be able to do regarding technology. The International Society for Technology in Education has developed a set of standards (iste.org/standards) for students, and also for teachers, in the area of educational technology. We will use these standards to support our work in this area.
To provide a bit of background information as to the efforts being taken at Portland Christian Jr/Sr High, 2015-16 was the first year of a pilot program during which several efforts were launched: 1) Every junior high student was issued a Chromebook computer for schoolwork, 2) junior high math courses transitioned to digital format, 3) students in grades 6-12 were issued Gmail accounts for email and Google Classroom applications, and 4) two teachers began using technology to “flip” classroom instruction https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eli7081.pdf
During this second year (2016-17) of the pilot program, there will be a continued effort to support and expand the aspects of the first year pilot. In addition to this, a Technology Steering Committee has been developed; to include administration, teachers, and the technology support department. Teachers will be provided with professional development on integrating technology use in the classroom in the effort to amplify learning according to the goals of the initiative. Teacher and classroom websites will be designed and put into use beginning in 2017. Students will also notice a focus on digital discipleship and their responsibilities when it comes to the use of technology at school and in life. High school students will be allowed to bring their own device (tablet, laptop, smart phone) to school for the 2016-2017 school year.
At Portland Christian Schools, we have been preparing for this initiative for several years. Technology infrastructure is continually reviewed and modified as needed. This includes WiFi improvements throughout the campus, equipment in classrooms has been purchased and installed, research on best practices has been done, and the support personnel has been planned for in regards to infrastructure and academic learning. We are excited to offer our students and teachers a 21st century educational environment! We know that there will be steps forward, but we remain realistic that we may have some bumps in the road ahead. Thank you for being patient with us, excited with us, and prayerful with us in this effort. We are interested in partnering with parents and corporate sponsors to support the educational goals, including the technology needs we have, at Portland Christian.
If you, or someone you know is willing to provide financial or material support, or have questions regarding the technology initiative, please feel free to contact Sherri James [email protected].
Blessings,
Sherri James Principal