G Suite and Chromebook 101

At St. Raphael School, we believe in the integration of technology in every area of the curriculum. Technology in the classroom benefits the students in the following ways:

PREPARE

First, we aim to prepare our students for high school and beyond. All area high schools require that our students have more than a basic understanding of digital tools. The jobs our students will have as adults will depend on them not only being technology users, but technology innovators. By becoming comfortable with these tools now, we are giving our students a leg up for their futures.

PERSONALIZE

Second, technology allows our teachers to discreetly differentiate instruction. Many of the apps we use are adaptive, meaning that the technology responds to the abilities of the student. Furthermore, students are able to learn about a subject through multiple media formats, including videos, games, and animations, playing to the strengths of each student's learning style.

PROJECT BASED

Third, technology enables our teachers to pivot from a lecture based learning style to a project based style. Along with classic instruction, our students are actively engaged in learning through creation and collaboration.

We are aware that there are "some things only teachers can do. Teachers build strong, productive relationships with students. Technologies can't. Teachers can motivate students to love learning. Technologies can't. Teachers can identify and meet students' emotional needs. Technologies can't." (ASCD) With that in mind, our goal is to implement technology based solutions that free the teacher to focus on the development of the whole child.

Resources:

"Educational Leadership:Realizing the Promise of Technology ... - ASCD." http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/apr94/vol51/num07/Why-Use-Technology%C2%A2.aspx. Accessed 8 Dec. 2016.

"Technology in Education: An Overview ...." 5 Feb. 2016, http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/technology-in-education/. Accessed 8 Dec. 2016.

"Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum? - Edutopia." 16 Mar. 2008, https://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction. Accessed 8 Dec. 2016.