21st Century Classroom Initiative

SBA: 21st Century Classroom Initiative

August 28, 2011

“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”     Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

So just how do you deliver the 21^st Century Classroom?  Like Alice, many educators, policy makers and even the general public respond resoundingly with "That's impossible!" when challenged to adopt a 21st century paradigm for our children.  However, even though many today still adhere to an educational process that is strictly 19th century, we know all things are possible with God and God’s people.  With God’s provision through SBA partners, we can accomplish "the impossible". 

A New Standard in Education – You don’t just shift a paradigm overnight.  Therefore, SBA has been strategically moving our teachers and students over the past several years toward the targeted use of technology in the classroom.  This staged approach ensures adoption of concepts, skilled execution and maximum impact for the benefit of our students.

Stage one of this paradigm shift involves the mindset of our teachers.  Just like your students, our teachers have a summer reading schedule.  This year, we specifically targeted a new generation of learning styles.  “Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future” by Tim Elmore describes those born from 1984 to 2002.  While relating this generation as Overwhelmed, Over-connected, Over-protected and Over-served he goes on to illustrate their educational needs as EPIC (Experiential, Participatory, Image-rich and Connected).

During the 2011-2012 school year you will see the impact of just some of the recent developments SBA has made toward integrating the targeted use of technology to improve the educational process:

iPad Initiative – The 21^st Century mindset starts with our wonderful teachers, administrators and academic support staff; therefore, we put into the hands of every teacher an iPad2 in order to help them fully embrace a digital lifestyle and have the experience of technology in the educational process. Professional development throughout the year will continue to integrate the use of this powerful tool in the overall teaching process.

Interactive Learning – Through the incredibly generous contributions of SBA supporters we have installed seven Smart Boards (interactive whiteboards) in classrooms from elementary to high school.   These amazing tools focus on all four of the “iY Generation” educational needs, and we look forward to expanding the impact of this powerful tool as God provides the resources.

Network Backbone Upgrades – With more than 6,000 feet of data cable, security advancements, an upgrade to a Gigabit network infrastructure, desktop monitoring, scaled network monitoring and the addition of a mixed OS environment (Mac and PC), SBA is ready now more than ever to support the digital learning environment.

SBA Guest Network – The SBA Guest (Student) Network uses industry leading content filtering and monitoring to ensure the security and protection of our student’s minds.  Access via any Wi-Fi enabled device (laptops, iPads, iPhones, Droids, etc) means access to information.  Access to information means SBA students have the very best tools, technology, and resources all in a safe, secure and supervised environment.

SBA is taking the lead in 21^st Century learning and the effective use of technology in the classroom.   With God’s help through your generosity, this is possible by giving our students the education that will prepare them to be the 21^st Century leaders in business and ministry.