Immanuel College was the host of the EdTechSA conference. I was invited back for a closer look when the students returned to school. Immanuel College has students from years 7 through 12. This is a Microsoft Showcase School - which is a distinctive honor reserved for exemplar schools that lead with forward thinking and utilize Microsoft applications for teaching and learning in the classroom. "Microsoft Showcase Schools are a global community of schools engaged in digital transformation to improve learning outcomes." (Microsoft) Immanuel College is also a Google for Education school, employing the best practice of tools and resources across the curriculum.
Part of the school has recently undergone a renovation. The principal, Kevin Richardson, provided a detailed tour and insight into the development of the new facility. The students had the opportunity to participate in the design of the renovation. They requested a student driven, professional environment that was technology enhanced (but invisible). Kevin also shared the philosophy of the learning spaces, the technology integration, and the curriculum. The upgrade was financed with a grant from the government. The design includes exemplar integration and inclusion of technology for the future, with the intent of serving as a model or prototype for other schools upgrading facilities and technology.
The technology is state-of-the-art. In fact, some of the technology resources included will not be used for several years, but they have planned ahead. The learning spaces are flexible. I observed an abundance of charging stations, USB ports, and plugs in the common areas. One of the spaces that seemed unique to me was the large interactive IT office that was designed to invite staff and students in to work, seek assistance, and provide assistance to others. Two photos are included of the IT space. Very impressive!
The Digital Technologies curriculum is integrated into core classes and electives. Not only do they have 3-D printers, but they have 3-D scanners and laser cutting and engraving tools in their state-of-the-art manufacturing classrooms. Digital technology is even a large part of their fashion design classes, with code written to accessorize clothing with illumination devices. I have included photos from a music computer lab and a general computer lab. In the computer lab, the students may choose to use their laptop at one of the center tables, or use the desktop computers. While I realize that some of these tools are for the upper level grades and that we may or may not have similar resources, I was equally impressed by the year 7 after school club that wrote code for a robot to take directions and point to body parts (head, nose, etc.) in German even though not all participants were familiar with German! Coding at Immanuel College is not for computer class, it is incorporated into most, if not all classes.
Everyone was welcoming as I entered their classrooms to observe and/or interacted with their students. I was able to spend time with two of the teachers (Jolanta and Jess) that I will be embarking on a global collaboration project with. I had met one of the teachers, Jolanta, at the conference. Coincidently, she presented a workshop on global collaboration. My students will be participating in a global collaboration project with the year 7 students in their classes.
I was dazzled by this school at the conference and I was even more amazed when I received the behind the scenes tour and backstory. Is this what schools are like in Australia? The students seemed so well behaved. The first school I had visited also seemed to have a plethora of resources. Perhaps, Australia is an educator's utopia?
Reality check: a trusted friend at the conference confided that not all schools are this fortunate. At Immanuel College the bar is set very high, but it is not the norm. Many schools have severe budgetary constraints and they do not have classrooms full of high end technology resources or "model students" - and I will experience this as I continue on my journey.
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