Unfortunately with the current events taking place, my cooperating teacher at Gesu has been under a lot of pressure and has not responded to my email asking for information on technology at the school. However, I was able to get some information off of their website that might help, and I also recall some of the technology that the students used while I was visiting.
Gesu has a robust technology program at their school. Every student 2nd-8th grade has their own tablet with their tablet program. The website did not specify what type of tablet, but I assume they are talking about iPads, since I saw these in the classroom. They also have tablet carts for the pre-k and kingergarten rooms. Each classroom in the building is also equipped with a smartboard. The website also mentioned that they had their own private network for the elementary school, middle school, and church.
On the second floor of the elementary school, there is a broadcasting station that I was able to visit, where students are assigned to give the daily news and put out information to the school. The broadcast is live-streamed every morning as the announcements on the smart boards.
Gesu offers a STREAM Program, Programming & Robotics Club, Minecraft Club, and Tech Camp throughout the year as well, which helps the students stay involved with technology.
Finally, the website mentioned that “Internet safety and digital citizenship are also covered in age-appropriate ways at every grade level.” I imagine that this means there are lessons taught about browsing. Because it is a private school, I have a guess that there is a controlled firewall that blocks certain programs, videos, and games from being opened during the school day. I do not know this for sure, but it may also be managed by the tech administrator. Unfortunately I cannot find information on a firewall or a name for those in technology services in the faculty directory.
Overall, the students at Gesu are engaged with technology often, and the 2nd grade classroom that I was in had all of the things mentioned above, including two classroom computers that students could use for larger research projects. There were iPads in the classroom that were used during centers, and I imagine that they were given to each child through the tablet program. It was also cool to watch the morning announcements broadcasted throughout the school. Students encounter technology everyday at school, and they are given access to the internet in these multiple areas.
Educational Tech | Kate Brunn 