Teaching with technology: South Fayette High School


	Resources
	School of the Future South Fayette High School Web site Microsoft Educator Web site

Teacher spotlight

Social Studies Teacher Don Sekelik

South Fayette High School Social Studies Teacher Don Sekelik knows that laptops are just as useful outside of the classroom. He makes the most efficient use of his in-class teaching time and often assigns a variety of Internet research and other computer activities for homework after school. Get a glimpse of Don's class in session, and hear his ideas about technology both inside and outside of the classroom. (Windows Media File)

South Fayette High School

Schools all over the country are reaping the benefits of teaching with technology, developing 21st-century learning communities that are engaging and inspiring to teachers and students alike. Educators and administrators are creating new models for learning and environments that promote digital inclusion—with many positive results.

South Fayette High School, in McDonald, Pennsylvania, finds that integrating technology in all areas of the learning experience helps the school.

On this page:

Prepare students for life beyond high school.
Improve academic achievement.
Encourage collaborative learning.

Prepare students for life beyond high school

Technology figures prominently throughout South Fayette, and administrators and teachers know it is a big part of helping prepare the students for the world beyond high school. When the school moved into its new building a few years ago, the staff worked diligently to restructure the technology curriculum. Their intent was to give students a competitive edge after graduation and to prepare students to compete in a global economy. Students participate in a pre-engineering style program that uses industry-standard software and hardware. Students are encouraged to work on the specific technical skills necessary to pursue their career choices.

Watch the video below to hear more about the pre-engineering curriculum offered at South Fayette.

Improve academic achievement

Besides acquiring technical skills, students at South Fayette High School encounter technology throughout the curriculum to help improve academic achievement. Indeed, technology helps define the core curriculum. The school recently decided to eliminate all general education courses, and now, every student at South Fayette participates in college preparation or honors classes. In addition, they begin considering career paths in the 9th grade. Career exploration culminates in a senior project aimed at encouraging lifelong learning and resulting in significant academic achievement.

Students at South Fayette High School are preparing to compete in a global economy.

Encourage collaborative learning

South Fayette High School is located in a suburb of Pittsburgh. The school district has experienced rapid growth, almost doubling in size between 1990 and 2009. Since moving into its new building, the high school administration, faculty, and staff have made a variety of changes in curriculum and instruction. Although the changes have not always been smooth, the insistence on involving all stakeholders—teachers, parents, students, and administrators—helps ensure wide participation. The use of technology has further encouraged South Fayette's culture of collaborative learning, which continues to greatly benefit students and staff.

Overcoming challenges

South Fayette High School has experienced significant change on three fronts—the school moved to a new building, added new and integrated technology, and revamped the school curriculum. The professionalism and dedication of the faculty and staff helped guide the school through this stressful time. In addition to new, dynamic content creation, the staff wanted to be sure that it made learning meaningful and applicable to all students, and staff members found that technology is a great way to do that. The same professionalism that helped ensure positive change continues to do so today, as South Fayette educators organize and focus on the essentials to help ensure student success and to provide ongoing staff development opportunities.