Freedom To Learn (FTL)
What is Freedom to Learn? The Freedom to Learn (FTL) program was created in 2003 by the Michigan legislature and signed by the governor. The program is directed at sixth grade students in middle schools across the state. Participating schools have received a number of laptops equal to the number of fifth graders enrolled at the end of the 2003-04 school year. Hewlett Packard was selected as the vendor for this program and the laptops include a wide range of software products. The school has acquired carts to secure and charge the computers. Teachers underwent training so they can take full advantage of the laptops and the wireless Internet and network access. |
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The FTL Program is a great success at Coloma Middle School. Sixth grade students are using the laptops in a variety of ways in every content area. From word processing to taking online quizzes through Class Server, students are more motivated and excited to learn than ever before.
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The teachers have truly been able to extend the walls of the classroom by having technology readily available to them everyday, all day. They have been able to show students places, people, and events with the touch of a button. United Streaming and all its resources have also been helpful in allowing students to experience learning through videos and pictures. The data projectors, supplied through the grant, have been invaluable to teachers during teachable moments. |
The following are some of the projects and activities that our students have been involved with the past two years.
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