An Ethos of Engaging and Creative Learning
Profiles in Success: Western Academy of Beijing
Supporting the Always-on Learning Environment
In the years since WAB implemented its 1 to 1 learning program, the school’s student body has increased dramatically in size. To support students’ and teachers’ IT needs, and the daily use of rich digital media tools in WAB’s campuswide wireless environment, WAB deployed 25 Xserve servers. The servers support the vast majority of network services in the school, including LDAP, PowerSchool, an Xsan storage system, and email services for two thousand users.
With the powerful back-end support of the Xserve, WAB has been able to put in place the technologies that have transformed the traditional classroom model. WAB chose Etech Group’s Studywiz, a server-based software product that is featured in the Apple Instructional Management Solution, as their instructional management system. As a result, WAB now has an “always on” learning environment.
“Teachers are using Studywiz to provide an online learning and communication environment,” McBryde explains. “Studywiz is the glue that really brings the teachers and the students together using their notebook computers.”
An Ethos of Creativity and Always-on Learning
Not only does the WAB community benefit from its investments in technology infrastructure and human capital, but also from an investment in thoughtful environmental design. Each school section features an open help desk area, much like the Genius Bars found in Apple’s retail stores overseas. Students, teachers, or parents with support issues or creative challenges can visit a help desk and seek advice from the school’s well-versed support staff.
Equally important, WAB’s entire campus is designed to provide a comfortable, collaborative working environment that reflects the way the people work in the real world. All computer users work wirelessly on their notebooks in the many cafes and lounges located throughout the campus. From end to end, WAB encourages and supports learning in the style of the digital native.
Technology as a Means to a Meaningful End
“iLife, supported by the right infrastructure, is simply amazing. Instead of focusing on the process, students are thinking about their content, and what’s appropriate for their audience.”
— Sheldon Bradshaw,
Junior School Teacher,
Western Academy of Beijing
WAB Teacher Sheldon Bradshaw is excited about the opportunities afforded by the technology to reach his students in new ways. “Talk about collaboration!” says Bradshaw. “Traditionally, you have one student on one computer, and he or she is off doing their own thing. But with a tool like Apple Remote Desktop, two kids in a group can see on their screens what the third is typing — or we can set them up with an interactive white board or a chat room — and they can all discuss the project and give their input.
“This gives us huge flexibility, in terms of how we group our students,” Bradshaw continues. “Now, teachers have the options we need to get the academic outcomes we want.”
Next Page: iLife Empowers Students with Learning Differences
