Technology Integration and the Beacon School Portal Another key part of our theory is that this system has grown organically, not as part of a pre-packaged software package, but created, whenever possible, using free software tools and written by myself and the students of Beacon. In fact, a student and I used a Linux-based programming language and database tool to write all portions of the "portal" software. Again, the philosophy behind the portal software must be in line with the pedagogy of our school. We don't want to merely use technology; we want our students to be creators of technological innovation, just as we don't want our students to just memorize facts but want them to have the skills to apply knowledge. The portal was created as a community effort, with that very pedagogy in mind.
This article from Technology and Learning by Chris Lehman highlights web use at The Beacon School in New York. I like the philosophy behind this... free and/or inexpensive tools that are selected for an education purpose. Not a solution that is imposed on a program, but solutions that come from the users as the need arises.