Laptop Initiative to launch at GHCA this fall

    HOULTON — The Greater Houlton Christian Academy (GHCA) is gearing up for enhanced learning opportunities for the 2008-2009 school year with its Laptop Initiative.
    This initiative, part of larger five-year strategic plan, is the result of months of discussion and research. The purpose of the Laptop Initiative is to integrate computer technology into the classroom setting. Key goals of the initiative are to enhance learning in all subjects, improve mastery of computer skills and improve efficiency and environmental friendliness.
    “Up to this point, GHCA has had a strong Computer Science curriculum, with students learning computer-specific subjects like programming, computer skills, and computer technology,” said Mark Jago, head of school. “Unfortunately, our students rarely had the chance to apply these skills in their other subjects. For computer skills to develop most effectively, computer technology must be with the students in the classroom.”
    The timing of this initiative lines up with larger-scale changes at GHCA and a shift in the market towards small, inexpensive laptop computers. Modern laptop computers and Internet-enabled devices now have the computational power needed to meet the school’s goals at prices matching traditionally less-expensive desktop systems.
    In fact, GHCA system administrator Michael Surran predicts that laptop computers and other Internet devices will someday be as ubiquitous in schools as calculators.
    The Laptop Initiative will be phased in during the 2008-2009 school year. This will allow time for everyone to “get their feet wet” as teachers experiment with the technology in their classrooms.
    During this deployment, some glitches are to be expected, and by anticipating those glitches the time can be used more effectively to making the transition to using laptops on a more full-time basis.
    The Laptop Initiative is currently aimed at grades 7-12, with the GHCA Computer Lab becoming more available for elementary classes where students will focus on basic computer skills, such as keyboarding and research.
    The laptops themselves will be purchased and owned by the family. For the 2008-2009 phased-in deployment, a laptop will not be mandatory for every child. GHCA is recommending the Asus Eee PC laptop, which starts at $300. This laptop is small, light, yet loaded with applications, including Internet, wireless, word processing, and more.
    For more information contact Jago at 532-0736 or e-mail at headmaster@ghca.com or Joan Barton at 532-9166 or e-mail at jhbritton1@mfx.net.