Students in Mike Jonker’s Grade 8 Information Technology course at Surrey Christian School were invited to build websites for organizations and people from the community. Living into their Storyline of Computing Power: The Power to Change Lives, students first built a practice website then divided up into groups to create the nine websites requested. Students emailed and Zoomed with their clients as they worked together to make a site that reflected the needs and desires of the client. The websites have been launched, and they can be accessed here. Not only did the students lean into Mike’s Deep Hope of equipping students with practical skills while serving others, their work was deeply appreciated by those they served:

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I had this great idea for a small online business, but I just couldn’t get over the hump of designing my website. I didn’t have the knowledge or confidence I needed to create a functioning e-commerce site, and hours of research and watching instructional videos just made it worse. Even with “simple” tools there were so many details to keep in mind I was completely overwhelmed.

Enter the grade 8 Info Tech class. They were amazing! They listened carefully to my ideas and created a gorgeous website that feels like my own. It’s exactly what I would have designed if I’d had the skills, only better because they were able to offer advice and insights along the way that improved the look and function of my site. They were always open to questions and able to patiently explain things in non-technical terms. Ultimately with their help I learned enough that I will be able to carry on designing and updating my site into the future.

Best of all, I know that great personalized help is only a call or email away if I need it. I should have done this years ago! Thank you so much!!

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