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Providence Christian Academy Gives iPads to Every Student in Grades 7-12 as Part of Their $750,000 Technology Improvement Initiative “iProv”
Lilburn, Ga. – Nov. 21, 2011 – A small group of students referred to as the “Tech Team,” along with members of the Apple Xcode class, have been busy supporting the Technology Department, iProv Parent Committee, teachers and administration at Providence Christian Academy in Lilburn, Ga.
“These students have been very hands-on in configuring and provisioning the iPads in preparation for the roll-out,” said High School Principal Dr. Sean Chapman.
On Nov. 14, they helped distribute 465 iPad 2’s to students in grades 7-12, and they set up an additional 30 iPad 2’s for “check-out” in grades K-6. On Nov. 21, the Tech Team will help execute an all-day training session so every student will learn how to incorporate the iPads into their classroom assignments and course work. The school recognizes that most of the students are familiar with the technology, but the teachers and administration hope to teach them how to use the device as a learning tool, as well, and not just for entertainment.
Providence Christian Academy places a great deal of emphasis on involving high school students in leadership opportunities. “I feel like our students have the ability to take ownership of things related to creating a more robust and engaging school culture,” said Dr. Chapman. “It benefits the students in leadership positions because they get to learn how to lead,” he continued, “and it benefits the other students and the school as a whole because student leaders are more apt at engaging their peers.”
The Tech Team supports iProv, and also acts as the IT support for the entire school under the direction of the Technology Director Howard Liverance. Two to three students per class period man the Tech Desk, and when they are not working on iPads for iProv, they help teachers with printing problems and other routine technology needs around the K-12 school campus.
“Our student-leaders do a great job,” Dr. Chapman remarked, “and we have our staff to thank for equipping the students to be successful in their leadership roles.”
One particularly gifted technology student, Senior Albert Renshaw, is a natural leader. He runs his own company called apps4life and earns an average of $5,000 a month. You can search his successful line of more than 30 apps on iTunes. What does a kid his age do with all of that cash? He puts his earnings back into his company and spends most of it on ad campaigns for his apps, but he also gives regularly to charity.
Providence Christian Academy is as a parent-sponsored school whose mission is to provide “excellence in Christian education as an extension of the Christian home.” In keeping with this mission, PCA has given every parent from each family an opportunity to receive training and attend Q & A’s about the school’s new iProv Program. Over the course of 12 parent meetings, every family has been represented and the principal reports no negative feedback from any of the families. Some parents even volunteered to be a part of a special iProv Committee to support the school’s efforts. Because of one mom’s research on the committee, the school saved thousands of dollars on the iPad 2 cases.
iProv has been funded through the school’s new $4.5 million capital campaign called “Providence Tomorrow, the Next Generation.” The 3-year campaign also supports fine arts and athletics improvements, including the school’s first Football Program, whose Jr. High Team, coached by Ken Robinson, was 4 and 3 for its first season this fall.
Other student-led initiatives at PCA besides the latest Tech Team for iProv include: Alpha Upsilon, a group of juniors who are selected via interview process to support the Admissions Office; Axis, a mixed group of students in grades 9-12 who run the weekly Worship Program; Encounter, students in grades 10-12 who plan retreats to build class unity at the beginning of each school year; CHOICES and Wild at Heart are the female and male mentor groups made up of juniors and seniors who serve underclassmen throughout the school year; and finally there is the Student Council, who, among typical school leadership tasks, also plans a yearly fundraiser for childhood cancer research, The Carter Martin Classic, that has raised over $700,000 over the last 4 years.
For more information about Providence Christian Academy, visit www.providencechristianacademy.org.
Providence Christian Academy is a K-12 independent, interdenominational, parent-sponsored school located in Lilburn, Ga. It is the mission of Providence Christian Academy to provide excellence in Christ-centered education as an extension of the Christian home. As a result, the school is more than an academic institution. It is a community of believers, consisting of Christian parents in partnership with Christian educators to help young people develop their God-given gifts and abilities. We pursue excellence in Christian education, and provide a nurturing learning environment for the sake of students' intellectual, physical, emotional, social and spiritual growth. |