Villa Voice Summer 2019 VillaVoice Summer 2019 | Seite 9

HIGHLIGHTS & HAPPENINGS
Education
Balancing Screen Time and Green Time
As part of St. Ursula Villa’s philosophy of whole child development, a Villa
education instills a sense of balance within its students, incorporating
Outdoor Education, recess, and free playtime as well as the use of
technology as a developmentally appropriate tool. “St. Ursula Villa
encourages students to use all modalities when problem-solving,” according
to Kent Halaby, Assistant Principal. “There is a time, place, and purpose
to use technology, as there is for using human senses, interaction, and
observation. It is a difficult balance to achieve in today's culture, but one
that we strive to attain.”
Technology has truly elevated the way children learn and has had a
considerable impact on teaching style and effectiveness. At the Villa,
introduction and application of technology is phased in programmatically
and developmentally; therefore, its use differs from our youngest
preschoolers to Junior High students - Early Childhood classrooms offer one
or two computers with educational games as a structured activty during
"center time" and Junior High students use individual laptops for writing
and editing, notetaking, and classroom activities.
Villa students develop their technology skills in age-appropriate ways,
from general to specific use. Kindergarten through 3 rd graders have scheduled “specialty
classes” in the Computer Lab to learn the functionality of Word, Paint, and Excel, in
addition to basic computer use. Carts of laptops near the 4 th - and 5 th -grade classrooms
facilitate the integration of technology in classroom experiences and projects. Sixth
graders receive their own laptops to develop familiarity with structured, daily in-school
use. Junior High students’ laptops go between school and home as tools for homework
assignments, student projects, and other academic work.
“St. Ursula Villa remains committed to a classical education and views technology as a
tool for production purposes which is used progressively through our programs. Students
are taught to use technology to enhance their product, rather than using technology as
the product” explains Mr. Halaby. “In addition to technology, the Villa exposes children
to many enriching subjects such
as Art, Music, Physical Education,
STEM, Foreign Language, and
Outdoor Education to develop
the whole child and foster
well-rounded individuals. It is
imperative to incorporate ‘green
time’ along with
‘screen time.’”
“There is a time,
place, and purpose
to use technology, as
there is for using
human senses,
interaction, and
observation. It is a
difficult balance to
achieve in today's
culture, but one that
we strive to attain.”
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL KENT HALABY
Studies show that getting
children away from screens and
into the outdoors develops their
imagination, promotes creativity,
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