Learning Innovation & Technology

We live in a time of staggering technological change, with disruptive technological innovations continually reshaping how we live, play and work. To prepare our students as future-ready global citizens for the workplace that is rapidly changing requires agile and dynamic learning environments and experiences that engage and empower all learners with unique opportunities for impactful outcomes. This led us to rethink our approach to better respond and prepare for change in a timely manner, in developing agile design thinkers with growth mindsets to reimagine and shape the future. Consequently, we rebranded technology @CMS to Learning Innovation & Technology (LIT @CMS).

The Carol Morgan School Learning Innovation and Technology department strives to provide for its community of lifelong learners the most advanced and effective level of academic and operational technology possible through a dedicated team of professionals. We strive to provide students learning provocations to make sense of the world, addressing “wicked” problems through a range of “learning to do and doing to learn” possibilities. In addition, we have purposefully designed our learning pathways to advance students and their experiences for deeper learning by creating opportunities framed on evidence-based research to heighten agency for student voice and passion, while personalizing learning through feedback and authentic assessments. Our end game is to capitalize on our collective strength to design for impactful action and outcome, nurturing our students as future-ready design thinkers, innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs.

Several state-of-the art Learning Innovation Studios and other spaces are available to our staff and students. Each learning studio has a specific focus catering to the needs and wants of many age groups. Studios are equipped with 3D printers, robotics equipment, and other maker-centered resources. Team DRIFT, our award-award winning robotics team is part of the LIT department. Our staff are encouraged, supported, and trained through professional learning communities in a systematic way, focused on professional growth and educational relevance. CMS has a successful Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program for grades 6-12. Teachers and students leverage this program to improve learning and help our students become agile digital creators, consumers, and problem solvers. The elementary grades are set up with a range of technology resources, including digital large-format screens, document cameras and iPads for group work. The faculty at the Carol Morgan School also use a variety of technologies and software applications for communication and collaboration with students, parents, colleagues, and outside organizations. Each member of the faculty is provided with a MacBook Pro laptop to support and advance teaching and learning.

Learning Innovation & Technology designed to promote communication, collaboration, and creativity

Modern technologies and design are poised to play an integral role, facilitating how learning organizations navigate through a rapidly evolving world. Innovation has emerged as a key catalyst for this change in today’s knowledge, information and technological age; increasing competitive advantage. Furthermore, education has shifted from the traditional teacher-centered approach to a student-driven approach. Schools are now positioned to engender a spirit of creative confidence, preparing young learners to solve complex challenges through the practice of innovation.

The Stanford d. school advocates design thinking as a desirable framework to develop creative confidence, empowering learners to take action when faced with complexity and new challenges. Because our students will continue to face a myriad of complex challenges, we will collectively engage our students through design thinking and a growth mindset to develop new skills and dispositions. Furthermore, as our students’ lives have transitioned into an immensely digital world, there is an increasing need to engage in relevant conversation as a community about our responsibility to manage and get the best out of the digital space. Cyberwellness and digital citizenship provides a set of norms and practices about appropriate and responsible use of technology through a holistic approach and a range of digital literacy age-appropriate activities. Challenge-based learning (CBL), referred to as project-based learning is another cornerstone of LIT @CMS, a way to make learning meaningful, while teaching skills that cut across many content areas. Learning in a challenge-based environment takes place in the context of authentic problems, continues over time, and applies knowledge from many disciplines. In addition, CBL promotes the learning conditions where students self-assess their ability, while creating and applying new knowledge and skills to solve real-world challenges.