ISB Middle School Computers & Technology
Philosophy
At ISB we believe that technology tools are only at our disposal to make learning more relevant and enjoyable for students. Technology tools facilitate active, student-based learning and accommodate a wide variety of learning styles. We believe that technology tools are best learned in the context of other learning and enhance the learning of subject area knowledge. We believe in transforming education by providing opportunities for differentiated learning and instruction through technology. All in all, we are preparing our students to live in a high technologically-infused society.
The Classroom Experience
Using technology in the classroom lends itself well to a learning style called inquiry-based learning where students choose the learning tools they are more comfortable with. Having technology in the classroom gives students many more choices and makes inquiry-based learning a richer experience. Throughout the MS, students use technology tools in all subject areas to learn in a productive and efficient manner, to express their ideas and show creativity, to analyze and solve problems, and to communicate their findings at both a local and global level.
Starting from this year, all teachers will begin to work on the integration of our Technology and Information Literacy (TAIL) standards in all subject areas. These standards will ensure that students attain adequate levels of proficiency in using technology and information across the entire school.
Online Systems
We have our own Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called PantherNet. All teachers have a course that students have to enroll in at the start of the year or when they join the school. PantherNet is considered a virtual extension of the class setting allowing teachers to share information and interact directly with students. In addition, we host a blogging system called WordPress that provides each student a virtual space to reflect and show-case learning development. These blogs have initiated our move to student e-portfolios. Our central Student Information System is based on PowerSchool. This system allows teachers to manage their class gradebooks online. Students and parents have realtime access to this gradebook and can mainly monitor progress for each subject and attendance. We also provide teachers and students with access to Google Apps for Education. This system allows them to communicate via email, as well as collaborate and share documents, sites and calendars.
Equipment
Each classroom is equipped with a surround sound system, a digital projector, a SMART Board and wireless access points for Internet connectivity. Teachers and students are provided a school owned MacBook Pro to use 24/7 during the academic year. There are approximately 500 laptops being used every day in the the entire MS student body. In addition, students and teachers utilize a wide array of software and digital peripherals which compliment our hardware resources.
The school is equipped with tap-technology printers which allow students and teachers to collect printouts from any printer using their IDs. There are four B/W printers and one color printer. In addition students can use the B/W printer and color printer in the Main Library. Every student is allocated a print quota of 300 credits. We do encourage students to avoid printing unless strictly necessary.
Monitoring Laptops
At ISB we have established protocols for monitoring student laptops using Remote Desktop. Using the school’s network, we are able to access student screens in realtime. We are unable to monitor student laptops once they leave the premises. As we all know, technology is always bringing forth changes in our daily lives and routines and homes are not an exception to this rule. For this reason, ISB highly recommends parents and students to hold conversations and reach agreements on the use of the laptops at home. If necessary, parents may also opt to monitor laptop activity at home by enabling Mac’s built-in Parental Controls.
