Our Programs
WFS Laptop Program
Duke University Professor Cathy N. Davidson argues that digital technologies give us “the potential to collaborate and work together in new ways that collectively make us smarter than any one individual can possibly be....in the digital age, that’s our best mechanism for learning how to work together to make a better world.” That view aligns with both the Quaker belief in collective wisdom and with the commitment of Quaker schools to prepare and inspire students “to make a better world.” It also aligns with research demonstrating that technology within a quality curriculum deepens student engagement, supporting both independent learning (including differentiated instruction) and collaborative problem solving.
Each Friends student in grades 4-12 receives a school-issued laptop and each student in preschool through grade 3 receives a school-issued iPad. The goal of this program is to make the most of technology in service of our educational and philosophical mission. The program at Wilmington Friends has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program.
In this context, we believe that laptops and iPads are powerful tools that help us:
1. To advance the development of 21st century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and adaptability—skills recognized as increasingly essential to advanced studies, public service and citizenship, and leadership in industry.
2. To enable faculty to incorporate technology more easily into their lessons.
3. To deepen our student-centered approach to teaching and learning.
4. To provide all of our students with equal access to and compatible forms of technology at school and at home.
1. To advance the development of 21st century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and adaptability—skills recognized as increasingly essential to advanced studies, public service and citizenship, and leadership in industry.
2. To enable faculty to incorporate technology more easily into their lessons.
3. To deepen our student-centered approach to teaching and learning.
4. To provide all of our students with equal access to and compatible forms of technology at school and at home.
5. To improve the performance and efficiency of our school’s computer network, further increasing student access to technology.
