| Today's middle school students are faced with more than ever before both academically and technologically (Franklin, 2000, Sharpe and Beetham, 2007). In an age where learning has digressed towards a strictly test based model, allowing time for little else, it is important to rethink what and how we are teaching our children. Keeping abreast of new developments in technology and being encouraged to become intrinsic learners who develop a life long love of knowledge is more important than ever. Yet with technology moving ahead so quickly, how can we help students succeed, while also fostering a student-centered, intrinsic learning environment?;To study this question, curriculum was incorporated into a Course Management System (CMS) at the Middle School level at the Lehman Alternative Community School (LACS) to see if it would lead to greater student success. In this study, success was measured by the students themselves in a series of three surveys that were administered over the course of the fall 2008 semester. Student and parent responses were used to conclude whether the CMS was deemed beneficial and supported students as learners. |
