K-8 weekly Technology Class: Fostering digital literacy
At St. Margaret Mary School, we believe in providing a well-rounded education that prepares our students for the world beyond grade school. That's why we have an engaging weekly technology class for our K-8th grade students. Our technology class goes beyond the traditional approach of simply using computers and delves into hands-on experiences that foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and digital literacy.
In our technology class, students of all grades have the opportunity to participate in exciting and interactive projects. For example, our 3rd graders engage with Sphero bots, learning the basics of programming as they guide these robotic balls to follow simple instructions. It's a fun and engaging way to introduce them to the world of coding.
Elementary grades have a fun and interactive introduction to coding using languages such as Scratch. Through this block-based programming environment, students develop their logic and problem-solving abilities while creating their own interactive stories, games, and animations. This lays the foundation for understanding concepts like pseudo-code and computational thinking.
We are proud to partner with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) engineering department to provide our students with real-world engineering experiences. Through collaborative projects, our students go through the design, build, and test process. For example, our first graders construct landscapes using various materials to create a design that can withstand a simulated landslide. They then test their design using water to observe how effectively their creation prevents soil erosion.
Our 5th graders take on a similar concept but in the realm of water filtration. They explore the best materials to use for filtration and have the opportunity to build their own water filters, having to assess which materials they think will provide the best filtration. Results often surprise the students and through this hands-on trial-and-error environment, students put their scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills to the test.
Beyond these projects, our technology class equips students with fundamental skills. They learn the basics of HTML and CSS, enabling them to design and customize simple websites. These skills empower them to express their creativity and communicate effectively in the digital realm.
To further support students' interest in coding, we offer an after-school coding club. Here, students can dive deeper into coding skills, explore advanced concepts, and collaborate with their peers in a supportive and engaging environment.
At St. Margaret Mary School, we believe in the power of technology as a tool for learning and innovation. Our weekly technology class provides students with the necessary skills and experiences to navigate the digital world with confidence, creativity, and critical thinking. Through hands-on projects, partnerships, and extracurricular activities, we foster a love for technology and empower our students to become active creators and problem-solvers in our ever-evolving technological landscape.
Technology Program
St. Margaret Mary students have access to 1:1 technology. In addition to having access to a school-owned device, students take a technology course each week with age-appropriate material. Each grade will have a hands-on technology unit as well as activities around
Students in 3rd - 8th grades utilize Chromebooks in their classrooms. Teachers use the Google Classroom learning management platform. Teachers can post assignments, quizzes, videos, and schedule video conferencing through the platform.
The school Google Classroom platform allows students to utilize Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides for Technology Class as well as other coursework.
Mrs. Gilman's 3rd graders have used Google Meet for author conversations. This one features author, Lisa Hendey who wrote "I am God's Storyteller". Mrs. Hendey spoke to students about using their gifts to share the joy of God's message and answered questions regarding how to become an author.
Students in 3rd -8th grades have access to individual Chromebooks.
Each classroom is equipped with interactive smartboards, projectors, and Apple TVs. These tools enable teachers to incorporate media into their daily plans. Teachers include educational games in learning using GIMKIT and Quizziz for interactive online quizzes.