Learning

Technology

Navigating Technology for Inspired and Creative Learning

Dalton Digital Journey
Faculty Collaborative
Student Technology Access
Meet the Team

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New Lab for Teaching and Learning

Established over 35 years ago, the New Lab for Teaching and Learning (NLTL) was ahead of its time and continues to redefine how advanced technology can shape the future of education. Grounded in the Dalton Plan, NLTL goes beyond providing technology support and determining the appropriate technology applications. It’s also a dynamic space where students, faculty, and staff collaborate on creative projects, support departments in data-informed decision-making, develop innovative curricula, and reimagine teaching practices.

Integrating Technology within Dalton Pedagogy

Ideas come to life in the New Lab for Teaching and Learning. We move Dalton forward by prioritizing the students’ needs, pedagogy, and best practices within and beyond the context of technology. New Lab utilizes its holistic understanding of the Dalton Plan, the school’s community, and infrastructure to collaborate, connect, and support all members and to achieve purposeful, equitable, and innovative uses of curriculum and technology in an ever-evolving landscape.

Our Approach

The NLTL team, comprised of skilled educational technologists and technical specialists, brings diverse expertise and plays an active role in school life, often serving as House Advisors, coaches, after-school teachers, and club advisors. Through NLTL’s Technology Plan, the team strengthens community connections through programming such as the Faculty Collaborative and the Digital Journey. This hands-on approach ensures technology is thoughtfully and age-appropriately integrated in every aspect of learning.

At its core, NLTL champions responsible technology exploration and innovation by centering students in its efforts. NLTL fosters a culture where students approach digital tools with curiosity, creativity, and care. Through programming, students are equipped with technical skills and the confidence and discernment to use technology responsibly and meaningfully.

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Dalton Digital Journey
The Dalton School leads the way in integrating technology into education, drawing on a tradition of experimentation and reform. The NLTL team collaborates with the Dalton community to design impactful K-12 digital programs and initiatives that enhance learning, collaboration, and creativity, focusing on developmentally appropriate, mission-aligned programs and applications that advance the educational goals of the Dalton Plan.

Key initiatives
- Exploring the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the learning process
- Utilizing software to support constructivist learning
- Implementing a robust learning management system that supports student and teacher needs
- Facilitating interdisciplinary and cross-divisional collaboration
- Strengthening family partnerships to promote positive digital habits

Empowering Students Through Technology

Dalton's one-to-one digital device program equips students with secure, powerful tools to foster problem-solving and critical thinking. Recognizing the challenges and potential distractions digital devices can pose, the NLTL addresses them with ongoing conversations regarding intentional, innovative, and appropriate technology use through the Digital Life Curriculum.

NLTL empowers students to explore knowledge tied to their personal interests, staying true to founder Helen Parkhurst's vision and keeping the Dalton Plan relevant in the digital age. At Dalton, faculty and students use digital content, like images, audio, video, and text, to enrich learning. With access to specialized applications, the students deepen their learning by exploring various fields and stepping into the roles of archaeologists, mathematicians, astronomers, and historians.

**Explore the Dalton Digital Life Curriculum Overview**

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First Program
The digital journey at Dalton begins in Kindergarten, through a series of Digital License lessons that set the foundation for responsible and ethical technology use. Students develop positive digital habits through interactive lessons and guided exploration, learning to navigate digital spaces with care and respect for themselves and others.
- In 1st grade, students renew their Digital License and expand their understanding of online safety, develop key habits such as protecting private information, and are taught how to make thoughtful choices when faced with digital prompts. They also begin exploring basic coding concepts like sequences, loops and functions.
- By 2nd grade, students deepen their digital literacy by learning how to conduct online research, evaluate the veracity of online resources, and critically analyze media. They explore the differences between misinformation and disinformation, recognize how algorithms shape online experiences, and learn how to set personal boundaries with digital tools.
- In 3rd grade, students build foundational keyboarding skills and focus on digital citizenship, emphasizing kindness and respect both online and offline. They also learn to manage their screen time and how to be aware of online risks such as suspicious ads, clickbait, phishing scams, and deepfakes.
Cross-divisional collaborations like CodeLab, STEAM Saturday, and Intersession with Big Dalton students foster community-building through playful explorations of computational thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. As students progress through these early grades, they develop a strong foundation in digital responsibility, critical thinking, ethical technology use, and a strong sense of community, preparing them for Middle School.
Middle School
The Middle School digital journey at Dalton progresses gradually throughout the grades, ensuring students develop the skills and judgment necessary to navigate the digital world with increasing independence and responsibility.
- In 4th grade students work more independently and begin to communicate digitally with teachers. They continue practicing keyboarding and participate in Digital Life lessons throughout the year. While students are introduced to Dalton Gmail, they are limited to only communicating with Dalton faculty and staff.
- In 5th grade, Digital Life lessons continue throughout the year and students are given more digital independence. Email access continues to be supervised and students can only communicate with faculty, staff, and a limited number of other Dalton students.
- 6th grade students continue to build on digital practices introduced in 5th grade and learn about relevant Digital Life topics. Students are given more independence to work online for research and homework.
- 7th and 8th grade students use laptops regularly for research, assignments, and organization. Digital Life lessons are integrated into House and into the Core curriculum, reinforcing responsible digital habits.
High School
- As 9th and 10th graders step into a new phase of social experiences, they encounter newfound freedoms, responsibilities, and an evolving digital landscape. Navigating personal social media use and practicing healthy online habits become central topics during House discussions. New Lab integrates the six Digital Life themes — Media Balance and Well Being, Privacy and Security, Digital Footprint and Identity, Relationships and Communications, Digital Drama, Cyberbullying and Hate Speech and News and Media Literacy — into all lesson planning, equipping students with the skills to engage thoughtfully and responsibly in the digital world.
- As Dalton students enter 11th and 12th grades, they embark on the college application process, navigate an evolving social landscape, and prepare for adulthood. Students are encouraged to reflect on their digital footprint and develop a mindful approach to technology and media. New Lab integrates the six Digital Life themes — 1. Media Balance and Well Being, 2. Privacy and Security, 3. Digital Footprint and Identity, 4. Relationships and Communications, 5. Digital Drama, Cyberbullying and Hate Speech, 6. News and Media Literacy — into all lesson planning, ensuring students engage with technology responsibly and thoughtfully.

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NLTL Faculty Collaborative

The NLTL Faculty Collaborative is an innovative professional growth program that pairs faculty with NLTL experts, keeping teachers at the forefront of educational technology. Through hands-on instruction, teachers not only learn to master the latest software but also brainstorm, amongst colleagues, new ways to integrate technology into classrooms with purpose and creativity. Combining elements of the Dalton Plan — House, Assignment, and Lab — the program offers workshops in the summer or throughout the year.

The NLTL Faculty Collaborative utilizes a constructivist learning model that reflects the backbone of the Dalton Plan. Teachers work with NLTL experts to design personalized learning paths that reflect technology proficiency, professional interests, curricular needs, and classroom projects. The program also fosters educators to explore and apply scholarly questions in education and technology, extending the learning beyond hardware to thoughts of designing, creating, collaborating, constructing, modeling, and exploring new paradigms of effective teaching and learning. The result is a dynamic community of educators advancing forward-thinking education while enriching a curriculum aligned with Dalton’s mission.

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Student Technology Access

We are committed to ensuring every student has access to the tools they need for learning. We provide a variety of devices and resources tailored to different grades, ensuring students engage with technology in meaningful, productive ways. NLTL also works closely with families to address individual needs and ensure equitable access for all learners.

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One-to-One Device Program

At Dalton, we are committed to ensuring every student has access to the hardware and software they need for learning. Students in Kindergarten through 4th grades have individual iPads to use on campus, while 5th through 12th graders receive a laptop to use at school and at home, if desired. The School fully maintains devices and software, ensuring appropriate security levels, functionality, and learning experiences.
Course Management Tools

Course materials, assignments, homework, and major assessments are posted online using a learning management system located on the school’s website. The platform ensures students have access to their assignments anywhere they have an Internet connection.
Communication Tools

Every student, beginning in 4th grade, receives a dedicated Dalton email address, fostering smooth and responsible digital communication between students, teachers, and peers. Usage and access is limited based on the grade and age of the student.
Internet Access

Internet access is directed and supervised in the lower grades with more independent access in the upper grades. Internet access is filtered on the school devices based on age, grade, and needs of the student.

Meet the Team

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John Neiers

Director of the New Lab for Teaching and Learning
Daniel Cruz

Educational Technologist
Johan Guzman

Senior IT Administrator
Chesna Flora

Educational Technologist
Mark Gordon

MS & HS Admissions Administrative Receptionist and Technical Support Specialist
Julia Henderson

Education Technologist
Arlo Klinger

Educational Technologist, Coordinator of Senior Year Events, Peer Tutoring Co-Director, and P.A.L.S.
Cypris Megias

Audio Visual Coordinator
William Mullady

Senior Network Manager
Riddge Mussington

Technical Support Specialist / Educational Technologist
Harrison Priest

Technology Support Specialist
Colin Otis

Senior Platform Engineer
Régis Zaleman

Educational Technologist