Technology

Technology is viewed as a learning tool at Highland Catholic School. Students in all grades receive specific instructions in computer skills. They gain expertise in using technology, digital cameras, scanners, presentation software to create projects that demonstrate learning, explore teacher-selected websites, and extend the walls of their classrooms. The technology teacher at Highland Catholic works in conjunction with classroom teachers and specialists to integrate technology into the curriculum.

The computer curriculum is based on the standards created by the International Society for Technology in Education. These standards identify the skills each student should be capable of each year. These skills are then taught and applied in an interdisciplinary manner, allowing students to learn a computer skill through the study of another curricular area. The state of the art computer lab is equipped with a classroom set of MacMinis that can boot into Window or Mac. The lab also contains color and laser printers, scanners, digital cameras and more. The school utilizes twelve SmartBoards, a few student response systems, two laptop carts and 10 iPads.

A 1:1 iPad program for our 7th and 8th graders the began the fall of 2011-2012

Here is the flyer that went home to parents on Thursday, May 19th 2011

FAQ:

Why 7th and 8th grade?
We were considering adding 6th grade, but decided to limit it to 7th and 8th for a few reasons :
Due to the unknown length of the life of an iPad battery, we wanted to stick with two years for a lease.
We want to start the program with a smaller number of students. We will continue to evaluate the program and could add in 6th grade in the next few years.

What about use at home?
The best part about the iPad program is that it can make learning happen anywhere the child is. We want to encourage this as well as have a few pieces in place to make sure we maintain a safe environment for our students. Because of this, the iPad will be locked down to the apps and content the teachers provide. We will also have software in place that will use the school's current content filter to keep the students off of sites that are not appropriate. At the end of 8th grade if the family decides to purchase the iPad, we will restore the machine to it's factory settings.

What type of books and textbooks will be readily available?
There are many public domain items that will be available to us for free right away.
Some of the more current publications are available in ebook format. Some of the books are still only available in print, and will be loaned out to students as always.
We will be adding works that are available in an ebook format slowly each year. There is legistration being worked on right now that would allow some of our textbook/book funding to be spent on ebooks.
As of now, we have access to online textbooks for both classes, however, they are not accessible on the iPad (they run on flash, which the iPad does not have). We have been in contact with the publisher and they are working on getting their textbooks to a format the iPad can read. They have already published many of their higher ed books to the iPad.

How are the iPads being paid for?
Each iPad with warranty and case is $603.00. There will be a $15.00 a month/per 12 month rental fee that will need to be covered by the 7th and 8th grade parents each year. At the end of the 8th grade, the parents will be given the choice to buy out the remaining cost of the iPad (determined by the market value at the time of the buy out) minus the rental fee they have already paid.

What happens if an iPad breaks or stops working?
We will purchase a full hardware and accidental damage warranty for each machine for two years through a third party company. Any damage is covered as many times as it needs to be unless the damage is so extensive that the machine needs to be replaced. Once they replace the machine the warranty is voided. The battery is not covered under the warranty. The school will be responsible for all tech support. We are setting up an online help desk that both teachers and students can use. Those graduating in spring of 2012 will still have one year of coverage if they choose to buy out the iPad.

How are the iPads going to be integrated into the curriculum?
The teachers have been integrating technology for years and have become very savvy users. They are ready and excited! We will be getting training this summer from Apple that is iPad specific, as well as spending some time together to focus on what we can do to be successful in a 1:1 iPad program.

More questions? Please email k.atlas "at" highlandcatholic.org with questions. More information will be posted here as questions come in!