The school administration realizes the importance of keeping our technology up to date to give our students the tools needed for digital learning. Each year the technology equipment is evaluated, updated and new purchases are made to keep our program current. Teachers are trained and updated to use the new technology. Each year a significant amount of money is allocated to these tools.
We have even developed almost a "sixth special" for our students called Makerspace. Makerspace is a place where students build on STEAM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). We use our Media Center (Library and Technology Lab) for this space. There are cabinents filled with tools for the students to use to work together and collaborate to build things.
The technology lab features Windows 10 touchscreen computers, a brand new 75" Smart touch screen, 3D printer, scanner, digital cameras, and a green room. There is a chromebook cart and iPads that are used in conjunction with the library media center for various projects and makerspaces. We have the Microsoft Office Suite and use Google Workspace to expose the students to different tools so they can make decisions as to which would be the best program to use depending on the desired outcome. The school also has the Adobe software to allow the students to get really creative. There is a keyboarding program, Kidpix 3D and TuxPaint to teach the younger students and prepare them for more complex programs in later years.
In the classrooms PreK - grade 1 they have access to their own iPads. Grades 2 - 8 all have chromebooks for each student. The students use their Google Apps for Education accounts (GSuite) to log into the chromebooks and access Google Classroom use Google Docs, Slides and Sheets for different classroom assignments and projects. All classrooms have Smart Boards with projectors or Smart Panels. All classrooms are wireless and able to connect to our upgraded wireless network. There are laser printers on each floor for students and teachers to print.
The subscription to Discovery streaming for the classrooms and students' work was renewed for the year as well as the Destiny Library System.
We continue to update our content filter to protect the students as well as manage the chromebooks for safe browsing. There is a digital citizenship program in place that the students learn in tech classes to reinforce the safety and give them the tools to become safe digital citizens. We also have VR Viewers for students to take virtual tours with teachers to places they are learning about in class.