Preparing Students for Success in an Ever-Changing World: Wilson’s 1-to-1 Initiative and Portable Language Learning Lab

The Wilson School provides technology resources to enrich the academic experience of students, faculty and staff.  Our new Portable Language Learning Lab and 1-to-1 laptop initiative for children in fourth through sixth grades, are a natural extension of our culture of innovation with an emphasis on authentic learning experiences.

The 1-to-1 Initiative
Thanks to the generous support of our community, Wilson has the unique advantage at an elementary level to provide one laptop for each student in fourth through sixth grades. This device remains with the student for his or her full three years of the upper school experience. Though the devices do not go home at night, students learn how to responsibly care for and use their “own” technology.

“It is important to send our students off to secondary school with the skills they need to navigate their growing independence, and how they use technology is a big part of that,” says Melika Panneri, Technology Coordinator. “Our program covers everything from receiving assignments online, to collaborating with a team to produce a project, to turning the assignment in and everything in between. Our students not only learn what tools to use for what assignment, they learn what it means to be a good digital citizen.”

The 1-to-1 program also saves important time in the classroom. With an available laptop always at hand, Wilson offers greater opportunities for students to increase their knowledge, expand their thinking, foster creativity and enhance their communication skills.   

Portable Language Learning Lab
French language acquisition is on an exciting trajectory at Wilson. Our foreign language room is now equipped with a Portable Language Learning Lab, complete with dedicated iPads, which are currently enabled with the Duolingo for Schools program. Traditional classroom and small group lessons are supplemented with individual time in the “lab,” where engaging interactive exercises are customized to each student’s capabilities. Students converse directly with the program to gain comfort in speaking and practicing the language, in addition to building comprehension.

As Wilson’s foreign language program grows, so too can the capabilities of the iPads. With the capacity to add, remove or update with new software, we can ensure students are receiving the best offerings available. The Portable Language Learning Lab was made possible by funds raised at the 33rd Annual Thistle Auction in January, 2016.

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