Learning Through Technology

For students in special education settings, technology is an integral part of learning. At The Providence Center School and Anchor Learning Academy, the state’s first recovery high school, incorporating technology into the curriculum creates a student-centered learning environment that results in increased motivation to learn, greater academic performance and improved behaviors and social-emotional development—skills that ensure future success.

Technology is also central to the work of Bridge Technical Talent, a full-service IT staffing firm headquartered in East Greenwich, RI. Last year, partners Joe Devine and James Wright made a donation to help purchase the first iPads for The Providence Center School and have since expanded Bridge’s relationship with The Providence Center by focusing their philanthropy on the schools’ technology initiatives. Bridge has donated a total of $10,000 and also offered to match its employees’ contributions.

“When we learned about the iPad project, it was a great opportunity to get involved in a community initiative that spanned both education and technology,” said Devine. “When we visited the schools and saw first-hand the great work taking place, the decision was easy to continue to support the technology initiatives.” Other donors to the project include Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation, and Justine Metz and Kerrie Fisette.

This support will help provide technical resources for students in both schools. For Technology Coordinator and Middle School Team Leader Dolly Brooks, this means introducing more learning tools that will cultivate each student’s strengths. “When we are thinking about what types of technology to add to our curriculum, we want to be sure that it is helping the student learn in more engaging and relevant ways,” Brooks said.

In addition to the iPads used daily by all TPC School students, the school is equipped with a technology lab and several classrooms are outfitted with SMART Board interactive white boards and SMART Table interactive learning centers. Technology supports the individualized curriculum at Anchor Learning Academy, where blended virtual learning methods are applied using Edgenuity, a web-based learning program.

With its versatility, portability and availability of educational content for the tool, iPads have enhanced the curriculum at TPC School. The wide range of educational apps available for the iPad allows teachers to target specific learning needs and interests and reinforce reading, math and science skills in individual and small group settings. Using apps as lesson introductions, wrap-ups or discussion, teachers become facilitators of learning—talking less and letting students explore more.

As a clinical tool, iPads are valuable in reducing emotional and behavioral issues, often allowing them to continue the lesson outside the classroom to avoid disrupting their peers. Creative art apps specifically designed to have a calming effect provide another option for a student to self-regulate.

“As technology professionals, we love when students are exposed to technology,” said Devine. “It accelerates their success, prepares them for a bright future and inspires them to be life-long learners, and potentially even creators of technology.”