Facilitating faculty and student interaction has long been the hallmark of an LFA education. The bond between teacher and student promotes learning on a deeper level and challenges students to think critically and speak articulately about their world. This hallmark was brought into the 21st century with the introduction of the iPad program in LFA’s 2011-12 school year. Every teacher and student was issued an iPad 2 for school use at the beginning of this year.
 

After careful consideration, the school  decided that the iPad 2 is the ideal 21st century teaching device and will enhance the educational experience of every LFA student. Continuous research in the educational world is proving the iPad to be a multi-use educational tool given its versatility, portability, and accessibility. The iPad can serve as an e-reader with a growing percentage of the school’s textbooks  available in the iPad format. The device’s usefulness extends well beyond that function, however. A student can render a difficult geometry proof or look up the etymology of a vocabulary word all with the touch of a finger. A student can receive a packet of information electronically from his or her teacher in an instant, or quickly represent a physics phenomenon digitally. The iPad is incredibly customizable, allowing teachers to further tailor their courses to the needs of LFA students and incorporate myriad sources and resources easily and seamlessly.

 

The introduction of the iPad program fulfills an important part of LFA’s strategic plan--a one to one tablet program. The Academy takes seriously its responsibility to equip students with the skills necessary to navigate this 21st century world. Familiarity and expertise with technology are at the forefront of needed skills. Lake Forest Academy is confident that this program will further the school’s mission to embody in its practices and to cultivate in its students excellence of character, citizenship, scholarship and responsibility and ensure that LFA remains at the forefront of educational practice.