At Notre Dame Elementary, we believe that technology is an amazing tool that enriches every aspect of learning, curriculum, teaching, communication, and professional growth. Individual classrooms are equipped with SmartBoards, Elmo documentation cameras, and personal desktop computers to provide whole group or differentiated instruction to students. The NDE community shares 3 Chromebook carts and iPad cart - essentially providing a 1:1 learning environment for all students.
The goal of implementing a one to one program is to give students more access to information and technology to allow them to develop necessary 21st century learning skills. The broad goals of this program are to increase students familiarity with software and hardware programs, develop student abilities to communicate ideas effectively, and to ensure that students become ethical, safe users of internet resources. Implementation of technology in the classroom further promotes a student-centered environment while addressing various learning styles of all students.
We also use Google Classroom to collect homework assignments and spark classroom wide conversations. Students also use engaging apps and programs to assist them with reading, Spanish, coding, history, and science instruction. Our most popular programs are RazzKids, Mathletics, IntoScience, Discovery Education, BrainPop, and Catholic Teacher Resources.
Below are some examples of student created work ranging from Kindergarten to Eighth Grade.
Digital Short Stories and Picture Books 4th Grade students created digital short stories using a web-based platform called Storybird. The images and platform were created by this company, but the writing is entirely inspired by a 4th grade imagination.
Videos and Science Projects 8th grade students took still pictures of 7th grade projects and created a story using Animoto.