MATER ACADEMY CHARTER MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL

Students use technology resources to conduct research, demonstrate creative and critical thinking, and communicate and work collaboratively.

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Self-Assessment: 4

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Through our Verizon and Digital Promise partnership, all our middle school students and all our faculty have iPads for classroom instruction and professional learning.  iPads are a great resource for students in the classroom because they can work on their assignments such as SpringBoard Digital, IXL, and other classroom-based instructional resources.  Students in the high school are also encouraged to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).  Students who bring their own electronic devices are able to use them for classroom-related activities.  It is more difficult to manage personal devices because they are not connected to our network, but our faculty establishes classroom rules and procedures for personal device use.  BYOD is useful and cost-effective for both the school and the student.  Students use these devices to conduct their own research for projects such as Unpacking SpringBoard Units, AP Capstone Research and Seminar, Robotics, Design and Modeling, App Creators, and Cybersecurity.  In addition, the iPads contain Microsoft programs which students can use to work on their assignments and to practice for their Industry Certification.  In the high school, we provide technology carts of iPads and laptops for teachers to use during class for their STEM activities.

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All students and faculty in our school have a school-issued email address.  Their email address is used to register them for school accounts such as IXL, USATESTPREP, and other school-related programs.  This email is to be used only for school-related communication.  The best part of the school-issued emails is that they come with complementary access to Microsoft Office 365.  Students can use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote on and off campus to complete assignments and collaborate with peers.

 

Other technology-driven classroom resources that are used include Quizlet, Padlet, Kahoot, Prezi, Canva, iReady, and ExploreLearning Gizmos.  Quizlet is used in all STEM classes and across all disciplines in order to help students practice their learning on a specific topic.  Quizlet has various functions such as the study tool, flashcards method, and the test yourself option.  Kahoot is a fun and interactive app that middle school teachers use in their classroom through the students’ iPads.  The teacher creates a lesson quiz and students register through their device and participate in the corresponding quiz.  Kahoot is the middle school system of the I-Clicker Assessments used in college to assess student progress and knowledge for the day’s lecture material. Prezi is used by our students for interactive presentations while Canva and Adobe Photoshop are used by our graphic and digital design students.  In our Math classes, our students use IXL, MathNation, HRW, Khan Academy, and iReady to complete assignments and study for assessments.  Our science classes use ExploreLearning Gizmos for interactive simulations that teach a topic in a manner where the students are doing it and interacting with the content.  This helps our students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

 

One of our favorite tools is Google Classroom.  Google Classroom is free and available on any platform.  It has transformed education and classroom instruction.  Teachers have been able to implement more technology in the classroom by going paperless and assigning homework/classwork online through their various tools such as Google Forms, Slides, and Doc.  Google Classroom prepares students for college by introducing them to common tools and platforms and it reduces classroom disruptions because everything is online.  Students who miss class no longer wait for the next class period to discover what they missed; their Google Classroom contains all the required information for success in the class. In fact, teachers are students in a Google Classroom led by our administrative team.  They are able to see the functions as a student and be better prepared to teach as a facilitator/instructor. 

 

Technology has become essential in Mater Academy’s STEM program.  All our students use technology to conduct research, demonstrate critical and creative thinking, and to communicate and work collaboratively.  By teaching our students how to integrate technology into their education since the 6th grade, they are better prepared for a successful educational and professional career. 

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