Curriculum
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. We have over three hundred iPads in this school with over one hundred iPad applications available to the students. The technology coordinator at Highland Catholic works in conjunction with classroom teachers and specialists to integrate technology into the classroom curriculum.
The computer curriculum is based on the standards created by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). 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 computer lab is equipped with a classroom set of Chrome Books. The lab also contains laser printers, scanners, digital cameras and more. The school utilizes SmartBoards and Apple TVs.
Regardless of the user within the school, all internet traffic is filtered. Student iPads are filtered and appropriately restricted regardless of their location.
Technology exposure per grade-level
Preschool: Smartboard and projector in each classroom, access to iPads for station and enrichment work.
Kindergarten – 3rd Grade: Smartboard and projector in each classroom, weekly session on the chromebooks in the technology lab (focused use of Wixie for drawing and project work, keyboarding, tumble books, BrainPop Jr, math/reading skills games), 10 iPads per classroom for station and enrichment work.
4th – 6th Grade: Smartboard, projector and Apple TV in each classroom, 1:1 iPad program (iPads stay at school), cloud computing with the Google suite of products, chromebook sessions in the technology lab, individual students website built for State Report, Coding Club offered after school in Spring.
7th Grade: Full 1:1 iPad program (iPads can be brought home), Smartboard, projector, and Apple TV in each classroom, cloud computing with the Google suite of products, Coding Club offered, individual student website built for History Day project (can be submitted for national contest).
8th Grade: Full 1:1 iPad program (iPads can be brought home), Smartboard, projector, and Apple TV in each classroom, cloud computing with the Google suite of products, Coding Club offered.
1:1 iPad Handbook for 4th-6th Grade