What Is iMA?
iMA is Madison Academy's digital learning initiative.  It is much more about teaching methodology and learning theory than it is about technology.

Teaching methods have not changed much since the 19th century.  Yet we are experiencing a new renaissance that began in the early 80's with the introduction of the personal computer.  Since that time, technology has gotten more powerful, housed in smaller devices, and is less expensive.  The Internet is a super-highway to unfiltered information.  That information flows to today's typical Madison Academy student with a device she carries in her pocket.  Today's teacher faces a different challenge from his predecessors.  Instead of being the sole repository of knowledge, he is the guide through a maze of information and misinformation.

The student is also different from those of past generations.  Today's student is a digital native.  He grew up with video games.  She communicates to her friends through social networking sites and has the dexterity to send a text message at blazing speeds.

iMA will address this new landscape by using digital media to both inform and generate feed-back in creative ways.  Collaboration, Creativity, and Project Based Assignments will become just as important in the learning environment as they are in Huntsville's high tech work place.

Mission Statement
The Mission of Madison Academy is to provide a quality education in a Christian environment that will help students grow in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man.

Pedagogy
Today, our hope as educators is that when you walk into our classrooms you see a whole new style of learning. Our pedagogy is changing and along with it we are now seeing a new type of student emerge. We are systematically implementing our new technology curriculum from our Preschool Classroom through our High School. Apple has played a large factor in allowing us to infuse the curriculum with 21st Century Learning Skills.


What are our expected outcomes?
Our focus as a school is to provide students with the skills needed to excel in their future endeavors through their high school careers, as college students, as future employees, and as productive citizens.  Madison Academy Pedagogy agrees with Tony Wagner vision and his generally accepted idea is that our digital native students need to master seven survival skills to thrive in the new world of work. Our IMA program routinely prove these ideas as our curriculum continues to improve each year.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving - Voltaire’s most famous quote is “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.” From life in 16th century France to competing in today’s global economy, students need to think about how to continuously improve. Students must realize that the heart of critical thinking and problem solving is the ability to ask the right questions. From 1st through 12th grade you can walk the halls of our school

Collaboration across networks and Leading through influence - "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." -- Andrew Carnegie Teamwork is no longer a desire we hope to obtain. Teamwork and leadership is a vital tool for developing an educated student who can influence those around them.

Agility and Adaptability - Albert Einstein said, “You have to learn the rules of the game, and then you have to play better than anyone else.” To exist in the future, a student must adapt and be willing to learn.

Initiative and Entrepreneurialism - “I never perfected an invention that I did not think about in terms of the service it might give others... I find out what the world needs, then I proceed to invent” - Thomas Edison, inventor and scientist. How to create a product or fill a void in the world is what had made our country rise to the top. To stay competitive companies are searching for future employees who are willing to look at the world and discover what is needed by the people.

Effective Oral and Written Communication - The famous inspirational and motivational speaker Jim Rohn offers these two sets of advice to young people: First, “Effective communication is 20% what you know, and 80% how you feel about what you know.” Second, “Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people.”  The greatest advice we try to impart on our students is that your verbal, written, presentation skills are all essential elements to lead a productive life, however your success depends on your ability. Students must learn to communicate their ideas in a clear concise voice.

Accessing and Analyzing Information -  Albert Einstein wrote once that “ if we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” Student must learn to research information where they are offered millions of source, discern what is relevant to their case, and then know how to begin a project from scratch.

Curiosity and Imagination - Albert Einstein instructed his students that “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” We must train our students to understand that they are not just “thinking outside the box.” We must challenge them to look for unusual key questions and search for truly imaginative ways to solve the problems encountered in a project-based classroom.

Wagner, Tony. The Global Achievement Gap: Why Even Our Best Schools Don't Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need--and What We Can Do about It. New York: Basic, 2008. Print.