Welcome to SPH Sentul's Digital Learning Website. 

Here, parents, teachers, students and administrators will find the following information.

• Laptop Care and Purchasing Information
• School Internet & Computer use policy and rules
  
• Training information on SPH Digital Resources such as Turn It In, ProQuest & Google Apps. 
• Recent Research and Resources on Blended learning practices, digital learning and internet safety.
• Updated Reports on school technology and progress
  

JUNE 2008 REPORT

Dear parents,

We are please to report that the 2007-2008 Laptop Intiative has been a success with nearly all of our MSS students using their own laptop computers in the classroom. The year has not been without significant challenges to parents, staff, teachers and the students, but we have successfully met or adjusted all of our implimentation goals. It remains SPH Sentul’s belief that your child’s education has been and will continue to be enhanced through the continuation of this program.

Please take note of the following updates and information.

Terms and Philosophy 

‘Blended Learning’ verses ‘eLearning’.
Previously we have referred to the use of digital technology in the teaching and learning process as ‘eLearning’.  This term however, is increasingly being used in global circles to refer to distance or online learning. The more accurate term for what we are trying to achieve at SPH – Sentul is known in educational circles as “Blended Learning”. Quite simply this means a mixing or blending of physical and virtual (digital) resources when delivering instruction to students. In many cases the use of digital resources (discussed more below) allow for a more collaborative and student centered approach to learning.  SPH – Sentul does not believe in the use of technology for technology’s sake but rather hopes to offer the best variety of traditional and digital classroom experiences. It is hoped that this approach will enrich your child’s learning experience, while at the same time demonstrating responsible use of new technologies. 

‘Digital Natives’ vs ‘Digital Immigrants’.

Researcher and educator Marc Prensky refers to people who have grown up using digital technology as ‘digital natives’. Those of us who have adopted it later in life he calls ‘digital immigrants’.  One of the challenges to using technology in the classroom is that the majority of students (digital natives) have more ability using computers and digital tools than do their parents and teachers (digital immigrants).  The gap between how a ‘digital native’ learns and how a ‘digital immigrant’ teaches is one that we feel needs to be bridged as much as possible. The reason for this is that ‘digital immigrants’ still need adult direction and guidance   in order to safely use technology to access information and form relationships.  In an age where limitless and mobile internet access is an foregone reality parents and educators need to keep abreast with the benefits and risks of using technology as a part of daily life and interactions.

Technological Infrastructure

Much work has been done in the past 12 months to improve secure accessibility to the internet and our school network.  Our bandwidth (the amount of information that people can access on the internet at once) has been recently increased to accommodate heavier use.

Despite new and expensive hardware installations students have at times been able to bypass our system in order to misuse the bandwidth for unauthorized downloading. There have also been occasional problems with student’s accessing web resources at inappropriate times both within and outside of the classrooms and library.

As a result of these problems we will be implenting several new systems and policies effective in the new academic year. This will include amendments to our existing ISA policy and a student ‘sign in’ system that will enable us to track and indentify every person using the school’s wireless system. In addition it has been decided that wireless classroom devices will not be left active outside of the intentional planning and use of the teacher.  Laptops will not be used in the hallways or canteen during break times. (Please refer to the ICS agreement and Behavior Management Policy for futher information)

Teachers

This year an emphasis has been and will continue to be put on training teachers and staff to effectively use and manage the use of computer technology in classroom.
As you may already know, your son and\or daughter’s school attendance and grades are being managed using a software system (Scassy) designed just for SPH Sentul. This system is currently being expanded and improved in order that more accurate data can be tabulated and shared with all teachers, parents and students. 

Teachers are using online services such as www.turnitin.com for the submission and marking of homework assignments. Increasingly they are also creating their own websites to post assignments and study materials. You may visit www.sph-sentul.net (click on Teacher Pages) to see examples of how some SPH Sentul teachers are using their own web spaces to post course information, assignments and link to many other interactive educative tools that the internet makes available.

The number of online resources that teachers are using to assist them in delivering their lessons and activities is far too long to list.  On a weekly basis new resources are being discovered and utilized. To meet the challenges that this presents to teachers and students, SPH Sentul has a ‘pilot group’ that discusses and tests new technologies as well as evaluating teacher\student progress.  Our hope is that this pilot group will also assist in training teachers to use the internet in ways that positively affect the classroom dynamic. For further information about ‘Blended Learning’ practices please explore the links at this site.

Students

Your son or daughter’s laptop is a powerful learning partner, and therefore, a worthwhile investment.  It is used on a daily basis to research, produce and submit assignments. It is a means of constant communication and expression among students and teachers.  During some classes students will be using the internet along with their fellow students to explore new subjects, perform interactive activities and complete online tests. Programs specific to different subjects and courses assist your son or daughter’s learning experience in more efficient and visually stimulating ways. 

In many ways the use of laptops help involve and evolve the role of the student in the classroom.  Instead of passively relying on the teacher as the only provider of knowledge, the students (along with their teachers) can construct together an understanding of the subjects and topics that their courses require. 

Starting this academic year your child has also begun creating a digital portfolio of their school achievements.  Students used web software to creatively design, post and reflect upon their work.   The advantage of this is that they will continue to develop their computer skills while also moving toward the creation of online career portfolios and resumes.

This academic year we have also expanded our library by adding ProQuest (an online catelogue of containing thousands of books, magazines, journals, podcasts and videos). The advantage of this new resource is huge since it allows students (particularily those doing research essay and projects) to select information from a safe and reputable data bank of sources. For more information on this impressive resource please explore the links on this site.

In the upcoming academic year (08\09) your child will also be receiving an sph-sentul.net gmail address. Students will use this account exclusively for school related communication and will be asked to check it twice a day.

Students who wish to take a more active role in training and helping others with computer technology can join SWAT (Students Who Assist with Technology).  Plans are in place to create space for this group in the MSS Lab which is currently in the process of being renovating with more professional furniture and equipment.

Conclusion

Schools and classrooms around the world are increasingly taking full advantage of the ever evolving and expanding proliferation of computer technology. Computers are no longer just used as high-tech typewriters and mailboxes. With laptops the students, teachers and administrators are given powerful new tools to ensure that they can creatively and confidently face the demands of a digitally driven society.  Should you have any questions or comments about how SPH intends to keep on the ‘cutting edge’ of technology and education, please feel free to email or contact me.

Best,                                                  Acknowledged by,

ICT Pilot Group Chair                               MSS Principal
Mr. Leland Maerz                                        Ibu Harumdah
leland@sph-sentul.net

Resources and Links

Use the links below or in the navigation window (right) to access the following information and resources. These are more than just links to external website downloads. You will find integrated information and training materials at each of these web-pages.

Teacher Tube                                                       

Classroom Management

Turn It In

Laptop Care

Pro Quest 

ISA (Info Services Agreement)

Google Apps

Teacher Course Websites

Blended Learning Research and Resources

Posted here (and at the link above) are a variety of websites and media showing various perspectives of those who envision educators embracing the potential of the digital age. Not all views expressed here will be explicitly those of SPH Sentul but they do stimulate new thinking on this important topic.