TECHNOLOGY
The integration of Chromebooks and iPads into the curriculum is an initiative at Central Catholic that provides digital tools and resources to our 21st century students/learners.
We live in a digital society. Today, technology is present in nearly every aspect of our lives. Twenty-five years ago, classrooms were mainly just rooms with four walls, bulletin boards, a blackboard and perhaps a screen with an overhead projector (old school technology).
Today's classrooms are vastly different both in appearance and function. The integration of technology into the classroom gives students access to information instantly. With that, critical thinking skills can be maximized. Teachers become more like facilitators and students are more in charge of driving their learning. They become empowered to search out answers to problems using the tools they have in their hands and their unique God-given abilities.
Through the use of technology, Central Catholic aims to:
- Prepare students to succeed in today’s ever changing technological world
- Foster critical thinking and problem solving
- Encourage the ethical use of technology and devices
- Shift the classroom environment from teacher-centered to student-centered
- Provide a safe learning environment utilizing technology
- Be good digital citizens
Kindergarten to Grade 5
Students in Kindergarten to grade 5 utilize Chromebooks. Each K -5 student is issued a Chromebook to use at school in the classroom. Central Catholic is an authorized Google Educational Workspace. This gives teachers and students access to domain-linked Google Workspace apps like Classroom, Docs, Slides, and more. Each student is issued a Google account to access these applications on their Chromebook.
Student Chromebooks are school- owned devices. They are managed and supervised by Central Catholic technology staff members. A robust Internet firewall is used while students are on campus to provide for safety.
Grades 6 to 12
Students in grades 6 to 12 utilize iPads. Each student is issued an iPad and required case. Students are responsible for the device throughout the entire school year (even on weekends and holidays). *Students surrender their iPad to the school during the summer.
Central Catholic utilizes the Google Educational Workspace which includes Gmail, Classroom, Docs, Slides, and more. Each student is issued their own Google account to access these applications as well as other applications available for iOS devices. Another advantage to using the iPad as an educational tool is the elimination of printed student textbooks. Student textbooks are accessed on the iPad so it literally eliminates the need for bulky, heavy, printed textbooks.
The individual use of iPads empowers students to maximize their full potential and to prepare them for college and the workplace. The iPad program also brings to the forefront the opportunity to teach young people their moral role and responsibility in the proper use of technology and to enable them to apply ethical filters to the endless stream of data from the global environment.
Central Catholic's iPad program has been in existence since 2013 and is one of the only like its kind in the tri-parish area.
