September 29, 2006

Through a generous donation by a group led by Tom Cunningham, Palomar Mountain School is acquiring technology software and some much needed hardware that will help bring the world to the classroom and the classroom to the world. The first phase of this money is being used to purchase keyboarding programs, a server, laptop computers, digital still and movie cameras, videoconferencing tools, and other replacement audio-visual equipment.

Included in the project are products that will add to the teachers' toolboxes. Presentation hardware, such as an LCD projector and video monitor will help to share lessons, students' work, and remote video sessions and conferences. The production of movies will address academic standards and increase student collaboration and problem-solving. This should help build upon the existing standards-driven instruction through engaging learning environments.

Palomar Mountain students will be introduced to various digital media tools in the process of producing movies. Techniques and skills learned in processes such as storyboarding and editing can be aligned with existing academic standards. Jaime Shuford, one of the school's teachers, attended digital media training this summer. Jaime is anxious to implement her new skills into the Palomar classroom. "I am looking forward to implementing the new technology in our classroom. It is amazing how many different standards can be tied into one classroom project. Palomar Mountain School has so many special qualities already; this technology donation can add to the list and will enhance the learning tremendously."

In addition to the creation of digital movies, part of the hardware will enable students and teachers to communicate and collaborate with peers and teachers remotely. Using Apple Computer's iChat and iSight, students will be able to bring experts into the classroom that might not otherwise be able to make the drive up the mountain. Professional development with this equipment is also planned.

Tom Cunningham writes:

Our goal is to provide a computer for each child and to challenge that child to be inquisitive and creative while developing the technical skills which are so important in today's marketplace.

Some of our students may live in homes that are off the grid and use generators for power but when they come to school, they are now digitally connected to the world.

Palomar Mountain School may seem to be an unlikely place to be on the cutting edge of education, but because of our small size, dedicated teachers, and students who are anxious to learn, we hope to demonstrate that children anywhere in the world with a little financial help and technical assistance are unlimited in what they can accomplish.

Would you like to learn more about Palomar Mountain School?
Would you like to make a donation to this exciting project?

For the Kids,
Tom Cunningham