6
1:1 program unleashes power
of creativity and collaboration
Teaching and learning are being transformed in a
rural school district in West Central Illinois in ways
that have exceeded the expectations of even the
architect of the plan to move from a mostly paper-
based educational environment to a mostly digital
one that is highly interactive, extremely engaging and
produces real-time results.
Diane
Robertson,
the
recently
retired
superintendent of Community Unit School District 4 in
Mendon, knew the 1:1 digital conversion would
benefit students and teachers in the PreK-12 district
of 700 students through the magic of technology.
What she might not have been able to predict was
how quickly this paradigm shift would be embraced
by not only the students and teachers, but also by the
parents and community when the decision was made
to equip each teacher and student with a laptop.
“It’s really not about the device,” Robertson told a
group of teachers who traveled from a Southern
Illinois school district recently to spend a day in
Mendon observing the program. “The laptop is only
a tool. It’s really about a paradigm shift where
students take more ownership and responsibility for
their own education, and teachers take on more of a
role as facilitators and coaches and are able to
individualize learning for all students.”
The classrooms at Unity High School in Mendon
even look and sound different. Round tables have
replaced rows of desks and there is a literal “hum” of
activity as students exchange ideas and assist one
another. It’s the sound of collaboration and
engagement, the new sound of learning. It’s project-,
research- and discovery-based. It looks fun. And it
has unleashed the power of creativity in students
who now have the tools to express themselves when
completing projects such as:
A photo essay comparing the structure of a cell to
parts of an amusement park;
A slope/intercept math project done as a
YouTube video exploring the cost of community
college versus a state university; and
A digital book report done as a movie trailer using
family members acting out roles.
Student laptops are loaded with interactive digital
textbooks, assignments and a myriad of other
(Continued on page 7)
Unity High School English teacher Christina Meyer helps facilitate the new style of instruction following
implementation of the 1:1 program in Community Unit District 4 in Mendon.
