Technology
Cutting Edge Technology
Our students are growing up in a world infused with technology. Information is available at the touch of a button. Not only is it available, the sheer volume of data is set to double every 72 hours by the year 2010. Students need to be able to access and interpret data in many ways. Is it reliable? Is it pertinent to the subject at hand? Will it impact the outcome under study? Students will need to be able to ask and answer these and many other questions about the data that they find. At JPII, technology is more than just access to a computer!
One-to-One Tablet Laptop Program
Students will be required to bring a specified tablet laptop to school daily. They will use this and our wireless student network as a tool for accessing and analyzing data, organizing class content, and writing and presenting on a daily basis in all disciplines.Real Time Data Collection
Students will gather and analyze a variety of data using interactive probes for temperature, pH level, motion, light and many others. These tools will give students instant access to the data needed to complete the scientific process!World Connections
This is more than just access to the World Wide Web - students will be using technology as a means of communication. For example, students could be collecting data on local water and collaborating with students in Brazil and France who are also analyzing the same characteristics of their local water. Discussions of similarities and differences and what impact water quality has on each of the communities are all possible with the tool of technology.Accessibility to Data
Students and their families will have 24 hour access to current grades, attendance, school bulletins, school calendar, fees due etc. through our school database software, PowerSchool, and our community web site, JPII Community Pages, powered by SchoolCenter. Each teacher will have a webpage where they will be able to include assignment calendars and downloadable files of lessons or handouts.Classroom Instruction
Each of our students learn differently. To address these differences, JPII uses the Promethean System. The Promethean Active Board is an interactive whiteboard that connects to the teacher's computer. This allows teachers to use interactive graphics and materials to help students visualize and interact with the lesson. In addition, the peripheral ActivExpression units allow the teacher to pose a question and all students can enter their answer on the hand-held device. The computer then collates the class results and displays it on the board. This gives the students and teacher immediate feedback about the lesson and how well the students understand the concepts. Also, because everything that happens on the board is recorded in a computer file, the teacher can post it on their website for all students to download to their laptop or even to an iPod to review later.