Equipment and Devices

Our Elementary Schools

In our BH-BL elementary schools, technology is fully accessible to students and is integrated into classrooms. Technology is a basic component to our programs. Each building has a computer lab with either PCs or Macs, as well as a mobile cart with a class set of MacBook Air computers. All students also have access to a fully functional Mac lab in the library. All classrooms are equipped with projectors and screens, and many of the projectors are interactive. All of our schools have wireless networks so mobile devices can be used anywhere in the buildings. Each K-2 class currently has 6 to 9 iPads that are used in centers and can also function as document cameras. Our grades 3 to 5 classrooms each have a rolling cart with a full class set of Chromebooks for a one-to-one computer model. Throughout the buildings Google Apps are used to create and share projects, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, Draw, and Google Classroom. In some classes students also use Gmail to communicate with classmates and teachers. The significant investment the district has made at the elementary schools over the past few years, means the need is not as great in those buildings as it is at the middle and high schools.

Interactive whiteboard technology will become a central feature of our 21st Century classrooms. As large, thin bright LCD smart panels are developed, teachers will be able to project lessons in such a manner that the content can be saved and archived. Collaborative documents displayed on these boards allow students to participate from their desks in real time. Video conferenceing can be seamlessly incorporated into lessons. Our 2013 capital project included upgrades to the power distribution in all 5 of our buildings to allow these smart LCD panels to be installed seamlessly.

Need at the elementary schools include:

Our Middle School

It is the goal at O’Rourke Middle School to provide a technology-rich environment where all students have access to current technology to improve communication and make instruction more effective and efficient. With this technology, students are provided with the opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to be competitive in the 21st century.

The O’Rourke Middle School is a 1:1 Chromebook environment in grades 6 and 7. The 1:1 model will be phased into grade 8 during the 2016-17 school year. Students extensively use Google Apps for Education(GAFE) to collaborate with peers and share assignments with teachers and other staff. Teachers receive ongoing professional development training where they learn how to integrate GAFE and Chrome Web Store applications and extensions into their daily instruction to enrich the learning experience. The purchase of mobile devices for all teachers will allow for easier use of Gmail, Google Classroom, and Blackboard to communicate assignments, videos, and announcements with students and parents.

Interactive LCD Smart panels will be introduced into Middle School classrooms as soon as this coming school year. The new STEAM addition will feature these panels in all classrooms. These displays will become commonplace in most classrooms in coming years.

The Middle School Technology Classrooms will have Lego Mindstorm EV3 robotics equipment and littleBits computer coding electronic component kits.

By integrating technology into daily instruction, O’Rourke Middle School leaders plan to promote and provide opportunities for all students, teachers and staff to better learn, communicate and collaborate

Our High School

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School leaders and staff value the use of instructional technology to increase student learning and achievement. To that end, we have proposed a number of technology purchases that will allow students to work in a 21st-century learning environment.

The purchase of an array of technology devices will allow students, faculty and staff to work in a nearly 1:1 computing environment. The result of this will be increased student engagement, exposure to relevant technology and the ability to move from consumers of information to more active participants in the classroom. Collaboration in the classroom will be greatly enhanced.

Increased computer access in classrooms enables teachers and students to access cloud-based learning management systems (i.e., Blackboard, Google Classroom, etc.). As the high school moves toward a blended learning format, more classes will rely heavily on internet access and electronic means of presenting information.

Interactive LCD Smart panels will be introduced into High School classrooms as soon as this coming school year. The new STEAM addition will feature these panels in all classrooms. These displays will become commonplace in most classrooms in coming years.