J. Richard Thomas
At the turn of this century ten years ago, Facebook, Twitter and other social media did not yet exist. However, today they are primary ways that youth and young adults communicate. There are many conversations on how the new technologies are changing education.
Yesterday I was with a group of school administrators discussing how technology will change education. During the past few months I have been considering these questions and have been reading on the subject. Below I am offering some of my tentative conclusions and I would love to hear from you in this conversation.
- Technology is not central to education but it is an important tool to help us engage our students in learning.
- Technology expands our classrooms to other parts of the world.
- Learning will always have enduring qualities that have little or nothing to do with technology, but technology has become an important part of delivery of instruction.
- The workplace requires persons with oral and written communication skills, the ability to solve math problems, the ability to think critically, an ethical approach to life, positive character traits, the ability to work with others, the ability to access and analyze information and to live with a sense of curiosity, wonder and mystery. And of course basic understandings of technology are a 21st century job skill.
I believe that while most, if not all, high school students will take some online classes in the future, it is still the trust relationship that educators have with students that will continue to form the core of education. In a Christ-centered school, discipleship happens primarily through the relationship between student and teacher—following the example of the master teacher, Jesus, with the disciples. Doing so will empower our students to follow Jesus in this digital world.
GUEST BLOG by Miles Yoder, Assistant Superintendent
Every LMH student is a member of an advisory group that is lead by the same faculty member throughout the student’s high school experience. The goal is that each student, by having a group of ones own, will develop the value of school community within the larger school “family.”
Recently my junior advisory group had an opportunity to meet with a freshman group to answer questions about the school and help the ninth graders adjust to the new academic year. It was a blessing to observe juniors reaching out to freshman with words of encouragement as new friendships were formed. The hope is that these kinds of community-building experiences will lead to continued positive connections when students see each other in the halls, in classes and at school activities.
We believe every student is created by God and brings special gifts to school. Juniors investing in the lives of freshmen is one way we work at helping students adjust to new opportunities, build self esteem, and experience the Lord working among us.
Thank you for your prayers as we partner with parents and congregations to pass Christian values to the next generation.
– Miles Yoder
J. Richard Thomas
Persons at times question the value of an LMS education. There have been numerous studies that have looked at Mennonite Schools in general as well as LMS in particular. All of the studies have shown a positive value for schools like LMS.
Now a Canadian study reported in Christianity Today has compared outcomes of students who graduated from school 6 to 21 years ago. The study compares students graduating from four different categories of schools and also from home schools.
The study shows that students graduating from schools most like LMS:
- want a job that is helpful to others and fulfills their Christian calling
- read the Bible
- are leaders in their congregations
- were prepared for relationships
- were prepared to deal with the problems of life
Students graduating from public schools were least likely to feel prepared for relationships or a vibrant spiritual life, home schooled graduates were most likely to be divorced, and graduates from non-religious private schools were most likely to marry later in life.
Once again a significant survey shows the value of the holistic education we provide. It is an education that Sustains Hope!
Last week an LMS family who is establishing an academic endowment as part of the Sustaining Hope Endowment Program shared why they value LMS. To them the academic excellence, spirituality, relational skills learned and the relationships students develop are precious and worthy of investment.
During the conversation they said that, while they highly value the educational excellence LMS provides, they are even more pleased that LMS prepares students in a holistic way to live a transformed life that changes the world. We celebrate the many persons who are sustaining hope through the holistic educational mission of Lancaster Mennonite School. What do you most value about an LMS education?
