The Ladue School district has adopted the ISTE (International Society For Technology in Education) standards, which aims to transform education with the guidance of the global standards for learning, teaching and leading in the digital age.
At Old Bonhomme Elementary we believe technology integration is not about the fancy tool, the app, or project; it's about engaging students, making connections, and redefining learning. Our students are more engaged when they are using technology tools that give them ownership, and extend learning beyond the classroom. Our daily work is interactive with the infusion of technology that improves our workflow and fosters creativity.
Technology at Old Bonhomme School is always evolving. It is used to support learning through integration with curriculum at all grade levels, and subjects. Technology resources at Old Bonhomme include SmartBoards, iPads, document cameras, laptops, and desktops. Our entire campus is wireless, and we have networked printers and copiers throughout the building. Our program is implemented through instruction in the computer lab, classrooms, and with portable ipad and laptop carts.
Our approach to learning through technology is to enhance the 4C’s (Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking). We encourage project-oriented activities, where students creatively demonstrate their knowledge using technology. Since writing is a critical component of our work, students learn the importance of keyboarding starting in second grade using typing software program for the remainder of their time at Old Bonhomme. Students use Google Apps for Education to collaborate and communicate, and various other web based programs to connect to content. Our students use 21st century skills with Google Apps to communicate through Google Drive. Our teachers manage all of this using Google Classroom. These tools help our students collaborate face to face, or on the computer when working on projects through Google Docs, and Google Sites. This limitless learning initiative allows our students to use the productivity tools via the web to access their work anywhere and anytime. Teachers use Google docs to collaborate on lesson plans, store and share district curriculum, achievement data, and school-wide initiatives. Our students beginning in kindergarten are creating digital stories, book review trailers, stop motion films, and music projects; they are creators and publishers through authentic experiences in which they connect deeper to content through collaboration. Our school celebrates Old Bonhomme Family Tech Week, Digital Learning Day, International Dot Day, and the Interactive Art Show. Old Bonhomme Family Tech Week is a school-wide initiative designed to highlight the integration of technology in the classroom. Families are invited to spend time in classrooms and the computer lab sharing projects as well as completing an activity together. During that week we promote a technology equipment recycle program and a technology vintage museum display. The Spring Interactive Art Show helps to empower students school-wide, and individually, to communicate with parents the various ways they are using technology to describe their learning throughout the year.
The internet plays an integral role in student learning, Students research topics, and use school appropriate websites for learning. Students complete lessons on being a Digital Citizen through Common Sense Media. Our students’ safety on the internet is insured through a district filter for all internet use. Student internet access is determined by teacher-directed assignments only.
Old Bonhomme subscribes to several online informational services that provide our community with a variety of resources for school and home.
Ladue Schools provide our faculty with state-of-the-art technology to assist in their teaching responsibilities. Each teacher is issued a Macintosh Laptop. Our teachers have developed blogs/websites to keep the Old Bonhomme community informed of their activities. There is also a full-time Technology Integration Coach on site that provides support for teachers to implement the use of technology as a tool for instruction, and as a tool to engage our digital natives, to become lifelong learners, and 21st century global competitors. Our Technology Coach helps the school community create authentic real-world learning experiences through seamless technology integration.
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