Technology Use
Primary Years Program
Technology Use: Preschool - 5th Grade
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) emphasizes the use of technology as a tool for learning. Technology can help students access information, communicate, express themselves, develop skills, explore perspectives, document learning, get feedback, and organize learning.
In the preschool program, students do not use personal devices. A SMARTboard is in every classroom but use of the Smartboard is limited to approximately 30 min/week to aid instruction.
In grades K-2, most K/1 classes have access to iPads for student use. Second grade has 1:1 ratio of chrome book:student. These are primarily used for differentiated instruction via online games/apps during math and/or ELA center rotations. Time on a personal device is averaged at 45 minutes/week.
In grapes 3-5, we are nearly at a 1:1 ratio of chrome book:student. Students use a Chrome book for a variety of reasons including typing practice, differentiation learning during ELA/math, reading texts at appropriate Lexile level or having texts read to them, and research via student-safe search engines. Students are able to read about current events via student-appropriate platforms at varied text levels. Students often type final writing pieces for publication. Students reflect on learning and document learning via our online learning management platform. Teachers use Go Guardian to see what students are working on, pinpoint needs, enable/disable certain web pages, give feedback, and provide tailored support.
A SMARTboard is in every K-5 classroom and is used for the majority of all lesson delivery. Smartboards are used as interactive tools and presentation devices.
Middle Years Program
A SMARTboard is in each classroom. These, too, are used throughout the school day, both as presentation devices and as interactive tools.
Document cameras are often used to share student work and to model skills such as note-taking.
Our schoolwide learning management system is Toddle, which is specifically created for use in IB schools. Students use Toddle to access and often to submit assignments. Parents also access Toddle to see assignments and due dates, to check which assignments have been completed and submitted and to see students' grades. Students can create a portfolio of work in Toddle, including reflections on their work.
Teachers use Go Guardian to monitor students' use of computers. This tool allows them to see what's on all student computers at any given time.
In some classes, students use adaptive learning websites to close gaps or reinforce learning in vocabulary and grammar concepts being applied to their written expression. These websites meet the needs of each student and can be leveled individually based on MAP scores. Examples include No Red Ink (for grammar and language usage) and ALEKS (for math).
The Technology in the Design room has 5 Flashforge 3D printers and one Snapmaker printer, CNC and Laser engraver/cutter. Design also employs Tinkercad 3D Computer assisted design this program allows students to create in the digital environment and create using the 3D printers.
Robotics uses the VEX IQ system to build and create robots to perform specific tasks and we compete in the yearly competition game release by VEX each year. These robots can be controlled by remote or coded to perform tasks.
We also have an assortment of Circuits and single board computers such as Aurdino and Raspberry pi to do projects in Design and Exploritory.
Students also use digital platforms to demonstrate understanding and synthesize learning across disciplines, including for creative production, mind mapping or collaboration.