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Technology and Learning at Holland Hall
Geoffrey C. Butler
In December I wrote a synopsis of nine trends having significant impact on independent schools including Holland Hall. One of the most obvious is the impact that technology has upon schools, students and the learning environment. It seems to me that so much of the discussion about technology is driven first by hardware. While I recognize that we need to know the capabilities of technological hardware and we need to keep up with the rapid development of new hardware and applications, we should not let that alone drive and determine what we do. The Education Technology Committee to which I referred in that article has been appointed and begins its work today. The committee is led by Doug Bromley, 41-year Holland Hall teacher and chairman of the Upper School science department and Marian Dresser, Middle School curriculum coordinator and librarian. For the time being, the committee is
comprised entirely of faculty from all three divisions, as I believe the initial discussion should focus on learning and teaching and how technology can add value, scope and opportunity to that enterprise. I have given the following charge to the committee as it begins its work.
Mission Statement
Holland Hall provides a challenging, comprehensive educational experience grounded in a rigorous liberal arts, college preparatory curriculum that promotes critical thinking and life-long learning. A PreK-12 Episcopal school, we seek to foster in each student a strong moral foundation and a deep sense of social responsibility.
Charge to the Educational Technology Committee:
The technology committee is charged with determining the future course for the use of technology in the academic and educational programs of Holland Hall focusing on the question: How can the use of technology enhance and expand the teaching and learning experience? The exploration of this question implies but is not limited to the following topics:
1. How technology can augment existing teaching and academic activities.
2. How technology can create exposure to new educational opportunities.
3. How technology can enable Holland Hall to connect with the larger academic community, regionally, nationally and internationally.
4. How technology can enhance the teacher performance.
5. How the teaching and learning enterprise can take advantage of and benefit from the technological natives who are our students.
The Educational Technology Committee is responsible for:
• Recommending actions that will expand and improve student learning through the use of technology;
• Recommending actions that will improve efficiency and effectiveness of teaching and learning through the use of technology;
• Recommending guidelines and procedures for effective and efficient use of technology; and
• Maintaining a technology plan that is consistent with the Holland Hall mission and that anticipates how the role and use of technology in education will change in the future.
Through its own efforts or delegation to others, the Educational Technology Committee accomplishes its responsibilities by:
• Analyzing the internal and external environment to identify issues and trends that deserve attention;
• Identifying potential solutions that address the identified issues and trends, including types of hardware or devices, software programs, applications and pathways for communication; and
• Identifying professional development needs, programs and opportunities for faculty required to implement the technology plan.
The work on this topic is far reaching, and it will continue well into next year. By the end of this year, I expect the committee to develop a vision statement for technology at Holland Hall and to identify a limited number of specific areas of focus for further exploration. Given the enormity of the work, the committee will most likely divide into various task groups, which will call upon additional outside expertise.
Want to Know Something? Just Google It! Now What?
Dennis L. Calkins
Head of the Upper School
I wonder if the following experience resonates with others from my generation. (I am a baby boomer whose memory isn’t what it used to be.)
I was listening to a song on the radio during the recent holiday break. I had heard the song a least a dozen times within the past week but I couldn’t remember the name of the singer. I asked my friend if she knew the artist’s name but, alas, our memories had failed us. Out came the iPhone and in short order, we knew the entire history of the song (Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree), including when it was first recorded (1958), the artist (Brenda Lee), when she was born (Dec. 11, 1944), how tall she is (4 ft. 9 in.), her real name (Brenda Mae Tarpley) and dozens of other tidbits of information — some of it quite interesting and much of it utterly useless. It was amazing to be able to acquire all of this new knowledge so quickly and easily. (Brenda Lee currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee). MORE>>
News from the Middle School Head
Joel Bicknell
Head of Middle School
Over the past several years, there have been several child psychologists that have written books regarding the need for pre-teens and teens to experience safe failure. I have written previously about Avril Beckford’s, “Allow Your Children to Fail if You Want Them to Succeed” and Wendy Mogel’s, “The Blessing of a Skinned Knee“. Certainly, in the Middle School, children experiencing failure in their academic, athletic, and social endeavors within a safe environment allows them to develop their resiliency. Mogel’s second offering, “The Blessing of a B Minus: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Resilient Teenagers” is again filled with poignant lessons for parents to consider in guiding children through the teenage years. MORE>>
Motivation and Learning
Jo-An Vargo
Head of Primary School
Recently, I’ve been reading a new book by Kathleen Cushman entitled, “Fires in the Mind”. It is gratifying to realize that while Ms. Cushman’s work involves middle school students, her findings affirm our teaching methodologies in the Primary School. This is so important as we prepare our young students for the exciting and challenging curriculum they will encounter as they “cross the bridge over the pond”. I’d like to share some of this information about what Ms. Cushman’s middle school students recognize about developing internal motivation and working toward mastery in their own lives. Then I’ll relate these points to the work that happens on a daily basis in the Primary School. MORE>>
Holland Hall Middle School to Present Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance"
Holland Hall Middle School students will present Gilbert and Sullivan's silly, tuneful show “The Pirates of Penzance” on Friday, Jan. 21, and Saturday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Walter Arts Center's Branch Theater. Wacky, irreverent and as entertaining today as it was when it first opened in 1879, "The Pirates of Penzance" spins a hilarious farce of sentimental pirates, bumbling policemen, dim-witted young lovers, dewy-eyed daughters and an eccentric Major-General, all morally bound to the often-ridiculous dictates of honor and duty.
"The Pirates of Penzance" is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. The story concerns Frederic, who, having completed his 21st year, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tender-hearted pirates. He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, and the two young people fall instantly in love. Frederic finds out, however, that he was born on February 29, and so, technically, he only 5 and a quarter. The pirate band meets up with the Major General's lovely daughters and wants to make away with them. The police are involved in a ridiculous chase and when all is said and done, the pirates are discovered to have noble blood. When Frederic reveals his nobility, Mabel agrees to wait for him faithfully. Come see if Mabel and Frederic's love can last!
The musical, directed by Sally Adams and Ginny LeDoux, will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, and Saturday, Jan. 22 in the Walter Arts Center's Branch Theater. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased by calling (918) 481-1111.
For complete information about the play including cast list and rehearsal photos, CLICK HERE.
Register Online: Alumni Trivia Night 2011
Join Holland Hall and the Alumni Association for an evening of fun at the annual tradition of Trivia Night, Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the Upper School Barnard Commons. Get your team ready, sharpen those pencils and brush up on trivia so you and your team can claim first prize! Surprise guests will conduct a special round. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the game begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 per guest or $300 per table (10 players). Drinks and snacks will be provided. Must be 21 years or older to attend. Proceeds benefit the Alumni Scholarship Fund.
For questions regarding Trivia Night, contact Judy Warren at (918) 481-1111, Ext. 745 or jwarren@hollandhall.org.
To RSVP by January 21, fill out the online form HERE. For questions regarding registration, contact Kendall Griffith at (918) 481-1111, Ext. 758 or kgriffith@hollandhall.org.
Book Fair Volunteers Needed! Be a Part of a Fun Holland Hall Tradition
The Book Fair is a huge undertaking that requires hundreds of the volunteers leading up to and on the day of the event. All Holland Hall families and students are encouraged to participate in the 2011 Book Fair on Saturday, February 26. If you are interested, please fill out the online form here: http://www.hollandhall.org/invest/fundraisingevents/book-fair/volunteer-opportunities/
Shift Opportunities:
Wed. Feb. 23 thru Fri. Feb. 25: Book Fair Set-up
Anytime between 8:00 am to 3:00 pm all three days (lunch served)
Saturday, Feb. 26th:
Shift A: 8:00 am to 11:00 am
Shift B: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Shift C: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Shift D: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
HOLLAND HALL BOOK FAIR JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Book Hold Watch over unpurchased books
Purchase Hold Watch over purchased books while customers continue to shop
Multimedia Tidier Tidy up the multimedia
Book Straightener Tidy up the tables
Cashier Count/Total purchases
Children's Books Tidy up the tables
Games / Animals Keep area neat
Marshal Direct foot traffic; answer questions; take admission at entry
Porter Help patrons to carry purchase to car; help marshals
Rare Books Assist in sale of rare books
Volunteers may work any or all shifts. Lunch and snacks are provided for workers. If a volunteer does not specify a job and/or time, he/she will be assigned to the areas of greatest need.
Save the Date! Preview Party -- Friday, February 25, 2011 from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Holland Hall Youth (JK-5 Students) Baseball and Softball Sign-ups
Baseball/Softball season is quickly approaching. All JK-5 Holland Hall students have the opportunity to play on a team. Please talk with your son or daughter to see if they are interested in playing. The leagues are age-based, so some will not play with their grade level (1-5).
• 1st through 5th Grade Baseball and Softball will be in the Jenks Youth Leagues. JK and Kindergarten baseball/softball will be played on the Holland Hall campus.
• Please do not sign up with an individual coach or the coach you played for last year. Please complete the online form in order for us to track an accurate number.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE ONLINE FORM
• The deadline for sign-ups is Wednesday, January 12.
We will also need coaches, so parents if you would like to coach a team please e-mail Glenn Sullivan at gsullivan@hollandhall.org. There will be a coaches meeting on Wednesday, January 19 at 6pm in the Primary School gym.
New Athletic Department Student/Parent Handbook
The new Athletic Department Student/Parent Handbook is now available online. Click Here to read the handbook.
Time Travel!
Time travel: 1985. The first Holland Hall auction takes place. "Dynasty" is the #1 rated television show, Il Giornale (the coffee house that becomes Starbucks) opens it’s doors and a little film titled, "Back to the Future" sets records at the box office. Time travel: 1924. A campaign to bring Route 66 through Tulsa begins, the inaugural Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is held and four young women become the first graduating class of Holland Hall, all marking the start of something wonderful. History is full of stories that shape who we are and Holland Hall is no different. In honor of Holland Hall’s rich history, this year's auction themed, BACK to the FUTURE, will be combining our largest fundraising event with a stroll down memory lane and a celebration of the great things to come.
READ MORE
Mark your calendars! The Holland Hall Auction, “Back to the Future” will be April 16, 2011 in the Primary School. To become a patron or to donate an auction item, please contact Annie Brady at (918) 551-6790 or email at bradyas@aol.com. Visit www.hollandhall.org for more information.