magazine - De La Salle Institute

Academics
Tablet pc program update
Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad PC’s
In August 2006, Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad Tablet PCs
made their debut in our classrooms. All students at
De La Salle use a Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet PC or the
NOBI Intel Companion Touch Tablet PC loaded with
the latest Microsoft software to produce scholarly work
in each of their courses.
De La Salle is committed to use learning technologies
that support the different learning styles of our students.
The Tablet PC is integrated into the curriculum, while
our courses continue to become more engaging
with interactive projects as students are continually
challenged to transform information into knowledge
and knowledge into action. Having courses that use
learning technologies prepares our students for life
beyond high school.
By utilizing the Tablet PC in courses, students increase
opportunities for in-depth learning and knowledge
construction that research demonstrates improves
student learning and achievement. Students are engaged
in learning - an important link to student achievement -
when they use e-books, take digital handwriting notes,
research databases and the Internet for information, and
produce professional-looking work.
As we study the effects of De La Salle students’
academic success prior to the implementation of the
Tablet PC Program, as compared with those students
who used this method of learning throughout their
high school years, we find a significant improvement
in standardized test scores. In the areas of English
and reading, students are now scoring one to two
points greater than before the Tablet PC Program was
implemented. We are seeing a trend of improvement in
science and mathematics test scores, as well. The Class
of 2010 used the Tablet PC for all four years. Upon
finishing their first year of college, we asked for their
feedback on the program, their academic experience,
and their college preparedness.
Here is what they had to say when asked how important
the Tablet PC Program was to their success:
“My experience as a high school student enrolled
in the Tablet PC Program unveiled to me a number
of organizational and technological skills that soon
become integral to my developmental progress as a
full-time, college student at the University of Illinois.
My familiarity with various software programs allowed
me to complete assignments efficiently and neatly as
to maintain a good academic standing in each of my
courses. As a dedicated alumni of the De La Salle
community, I am definitely satisfied with the academic
preparedness and expertise that was given to me through
the Tablet PC Program.” —Alberto Jimenez
“It was extremely important. I am very familiar with
software that my schoolmates in college know little
about or have no experience with.” —Mercedes Zapata
“It was very important. I understand computers very
well and adapt to maintaining and fixing computers
when I encounter problems.” —Jessica Stevenson
“When I arrived at college, the DLS Tablet PC prepared
me to interact with my university’s technology
resources by preparing me to properly organize my
school documents on the laptop in order to benefit my
study habits.” —Ayla Garcia
By incorporating the tablet pc’s into learning, students are able to:
Write and organize class notes and information
into folders for effective studying
Research the Internet for a particular area
of study
Receive critical feedback from teachers quickly
Create and present multimedia presentations
Research, write, and edit reports and papers
Collaborate with students on projects
Access e-books, works of literature, and historical
documents stored on the hard drive
Submit assignments electronically or as a hard copy
Intuitively use a computer as a tool to produce
intellectual work
Take their tablet PC home every day, over the weekends
and during holidays
Experience what academic life beyond the blackboard looks like!
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WELCOME TO D!
De La Salle proudly announces that the following
individuals have joined its faculty and staff for the
2011-12 school year.
Teaching at the Institute Campus for Young Men are
Blanca Ascencio (Language Arts) and David Hanke
(Applied Sciences). Kenneth Ramey is working in the
technology department of the Institute Campus.
Damian Creazzo (Social Sciences), William Schmidt
(Language Arts) and Mallory Thelander (Applied
Sciences) are teaching at the Lourdes Hall Campus
for Young Women. Diniah Dean is working in the
technology department at the Lourdes Hall Campus.
Simiao Liang (Language Arts) is teaching at
both campuses.
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Congratulations and welcome to all the new faculty members!
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1 David Hanke, William
Schmidt, Damian
Creazzo, Simiao
Liang, and Mallory
Thelander
2 Diniah Dean
3 Kenneth Ramey and
Blanca Ascencio
8 Academics Academics 9