Students are immersed in 21st Century Technology with excellent Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources including guided internet access in all classes, online educational resources, interactive whiteboards in all classrooms and library.
Our 21st Century library includes flexible learning spaces with 75 computers, which are well utilized by teachers who find flexible, innovative ways to use the digital resources available to them.
User response systems, used with the Promethean Interactive Whiteboards, such as ActivEngage, ActiVote and ActivExpression devices have also been used by many teachers to supplement prepared flipcharts. Such devices enable students to be active participants in their learning and allow all students to have an equal voice. Teachers evaluate the level of understanding more easily using these devices with their classes, and can refine their lessons accordingly.
Mobile technologies such as iPads, Chromebooks and Surface Pros are also available to students in all classes.
Introducing Google Apps for Education
Google Apps for Education is Catholic Education’s first true venture into the exciting world of cloud computing. Google Apps provide all staff and students with access to a broad range of tools they can use for creating, communicating and sharing, in order to enhance the students’ individual learning experience. When selecting the Google platform for use in schools, a number of key factors were considered as part of the review process, including:
Compliance with Australian Legislative Privacy Principles and Security of information was of utmost importance.
Auditing and monitoring capacity existed, to ensure proper management in areas of student protection and digital citizenship.
Product integration with existing environments to ensure ease of use and maintenance, as well as limiting supply of personal information, to protect student and staff identity.
Meeting functional requirements and a need for schools to maintain current and adaptive skill sets with the ever changing and improving use of technology.
The use of Google Apps is supported by a signed agreement between Catholic Education and Google, and acknowledgement from Google on their commitment in ensuring the Google Apps for Education environment is a safe and secure environment for students to use.
