Technology has gone beyond the simple school lab and basic computer skills. So must the instruction. Students must become critical, discerning consumers of media, as well as intelligent, effective designers.

First Lutheran School's technology program has several goals in teaching students to

Analyze information critically. A simple Google search gives thousands, if not millions, of results. From learning which online sources are useful for background information and which may be used as primary sources in reports, students will be able to sift through search results and discern whether information and sources are accurate and relevant.

Use technology in Christ-like ways. Kids know how to text and use email and social media, but we teach them how to use these things as Christian young men and women. For example, students would likely never steal from Wal-Mart, but they may not understand that downloading copyrighted music is stealing or that posting an unflattering photo of a fellow student online is breaking the 8th commandment. We want to teach them how to use technology from God’s perspective, and teach them to make choices that will preserve their safety and integrity.

Communicate effectively through the spoken and written word. From podcasts, blogs, online videos, cloud computing, Web-based productivity software, and virtual collaboration with other students on a research report, technology is changing the way students are able to complete homework assignments. Instead of writing a book report, students might make a podcast, which we can put online and share with parents and grandparents. The content hasn’t changed, but the process and delivery methods have. We are teaching skills that will help students adapt to the real world.

Create and problem-solve independently and collaboratively. In the digital realm, students learn how to collaborate on projects and use technology to collate, distill, and synthesize information. Using digital media and project-based learning, we can encourage student equality and information authority.

Act and think globally. The digital world is a global world, and students will learn to think globally using search engine functions, international resources, and possibly by collaborating with students in other locations.