According to Technology Director Cheryl Brandenburg, F.I.T. will allow teachers better to differentiate instruction and gauge student learning.
“We understand that technology itself is not the game changer; it is the personalization of learning that technology tools afford the individual learner, preparing our students for the collegiate environment,” she explained. “This program provides any time, anywhere learning for our students.”
Students will use Microsoft Office365 and can sync all of their work in a digital notebook while using cloud-based storage.
“This is a tool to supplement the education process already in place. It is not intended to replace it,” said Principal Andrew Barczak. “The traditional classroom of lecture-based learning can be enhanced with additional student research and project-based learning. It allows for personalized and differentiated learning — communication, creativity, critical thinking and collaboration.”
A technology advisory board formed in 2013 to create a roadmap for Bishop Fenwick’s technology needs by visiting local schools to understand how technology is leveraged in the classroom. They also met with technology vendors, conducted surveys, and received feedback from faculty, parents and students.
A pilot Bring Your Own Device program was initiated in 2014. Faculty members made the decision to have all students use the same device, with usage of a stylus, touchscreen and the ability to work both online and offline. In 2015, the school upgraded their new technology infrastructure to support the F.I.T. program.
“It allows students to use the device as a laptop or tablet. Students can use the device when the Internet is not available and then simply sync their work when they become online with OneDrive,” Brandenburg said. “With so many busy schedules, students can therefore work any time, anywhere. The Surface Pro fit our needs.”
Over the past two years, faculty members received monthly training sessions, and every department visited area schools to observe learning in the classroom. Teachers received their Surface Pro devices last school year, so they had a year of experience using the devices before the student launch. Professional development will continue this year.
This year’s sophomores used the Surface Pro tablets last year in their Computer Processing Information class, and all incoming freshman will take a mobile computing course. Mandatory parent and student training sessions were held earlier this month.
The Surface Pros are funded through auxiliary funds made available through the state.
“We are proud that we were able to implement this state-of-the-art program without charging parents for the device.” Brandenburg said. “We realize the sacrifice that parents make to send their students to a private school and strive to provide excellent opportunities without incurring additional costs.”
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