St. Matthew School in Franklin has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for its innovative use of 1:1 iPad technology and other Apple tools.
Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. Schools are selected by Apple for their use of Apple technology to connect students to the world, fuel creativity, deepen collaboration, and make learning personal. Fewer than 600 schools worldwide have received this distinction.
“Over the past 10 years, St. Matthew School administration, faculty and our Home and School Association consistently supported technology innovations throughout our school,” said Technology Innovation teacher Mary Dams. “Through our combined efforts, we have gone from a single Windows computer lab to a technology-rich environment that incorporates iPads, robotics, coding, drawing, podcasting and video creation.
“Our teachers have been incredible with developing their ‘technology toolkits’ and working to enhance lessons with the amazing technology resources we have here at St. Matthew School,” Dams said. “The students are eager to show what they have learned in new and exciting ways. I feel blessed to be involved with such an amazing community.”
Since incorporating 1:1 iPads, teachers have reported that students work harder, learn deeper, stay on task better, and collaborate more. “Personalizing learning is helping students excel due to the wide range of Apple tools available,” Dams said. “iPads have provided our students with technology that allows them to research, invent, create, and demonstrate what they have learned in ways they never before conceived.”
“The selection of St. Matthew School highlights our success in creating an innovative and compelling learning environment, one that engages students and provides tangible evidence of academic achievement,” said St. Matthew Principal Tim Forbes. “Connecting with Apple allowed us access to schools which continually exercised national best practices. From the beginning, we recognized that the process provided the school with the opportunity for growth. This distinction is not the end of the process, but just the beginning.”
