Technology in RCDSB Schools

In today’s day and age, technology in our schools is a critical part of learning. Our students and staff use tech tools in a variety of ways to support state-of-the-art interactive learning across the Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB).

Collaboration

Both iPads and Chromebooks lend a hand in helping to develop the skills of collaboration with students in the RCDSB.  Both devices give access to Google Workspace for Education Plus with more functionality available on the Chromebooks. Students can use both devices to work collaboratively and in real time from anywhere on anything from a simple writing task to a group website.

Creativity

iPads are an amazing tool to help support and develop skills of creativity. With the iPad being intuitive to use, and with the ability to share the content from one app to another, one can easily use the features of many apps to pull together an original piece of work.  

Critical Thinking

Both iPads and Chromebooks support students with the critical thinking process. With quick access to the internet, students can easily explore ideas and seek answers to their questions. Both devices provide a way for students to organize the information they discover in ways that are meaningful to them. Collaboration apps on both the Chromebooks and iPads allow students to work together in real time when manipulating, analyzing, and evaluating the information they gather.  

Devices in our Schools

Below, you can find a list and descriptions of ICT and electronic devices used in RCDSB schools.

Chromebooks

A Chromebook is a laptop that runs the Google Chrome Operating System (Chrome OS).  It is simply a web browser that allows access to Google Apps that live in the cloud.  

iPads

An iPad is a tablet that runs the Apple Operating System for personal devices (iOS). They allow access to many programs in the form of Apps (applications).   Users interact with their apps through a touch screen interface and voice commands. The iPads in our schools have been loaded with a standard suite of apps to allow for maximum collaboration and creativity.

Interactive Whiteboards

An interactive whiteboard is a large interactive display in the form of a whiteboard.  Students and staff can manipulate objects on the board such as images, shapes, videos, and written text.

iOgrapher

High quality documentation and creation tools are fundamental to the learning process. To leverage the power of video production capabilities inherent to iPads, iOgrapher kits (microphone, light, lens, and case) expand the toolkit available for students in all schools.

Coding and Robotics

An ongoing board-wide coding and robotics initiative provides our students with various tools to solve problems and apply learning in a relevant, modern, and meaningful way.  Robotics and coding engages our students in all the skills of problem solving: Reasoning, Communicating, Reflecting, and Metacognition.  Some of the coding and robotics tools available to our students include: Sphero, Lego EV3s, Blue-Bots, Ozobots, Micro:Bits, Makey Makey, Arduino, and Little Bits.

Design Thinking and 3D Printing

3D design and printing is becoming standard in post secondary institutions and the workplace to allow for rapid prototyping of ideas.  In the RCDSB, all of our schools are equipped with 3D printers which are used to bring our students' creations to life through the design thinking process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.

Google Workspace for Education Plus

An online environment where teachers and students can create and store digital resources to support and enhance learning and achievement.  Working with Google Workspace for Education Plus allows for the sharing of these files with others for excellent collaborative opportunities.

Docs

A word processing tool where one can create text documents with embedded media that can be shared with others.  Docs allows for real time editing and commenting when working collaboratively with others.

Slides

Demonstrate your understanding of an idea by creating a dynamic slideshow presentation with various forms of media such as videos, images, animations and slide transitions.  Presentations can be posted publicly on the web for all to see, shared with individuals or groups of people, or kept private.

Sheets

Analyze information and track results with this spreadsheet editor. Sheets provides tools to support how data is viewed through the use of formulas, charts, filters and pivot tables. 

Building Capacity for Technology Integration

Technology is an excellent tool to help support the development of 6 important skills (6Cs): Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Citizenship, and Character.  Skills that have been defined by Michael Fullan as being essential for whole child development and successful 21st century citizenship.

Planning for technology integration should begin with rich purposeful tasks, and successful pedagogical practices as the foundation of teaching and learning.

After considering task and pedagogy, the SAMR model describes how we can monitor the transformation of tasks from using new technology that simply substitutes the old, to tasks that redefine learning and use technology in meaningful ways that further develop the 6Cs.

For successful technology integration to take root, the TPACK model would suggest that one must be confident and knowledgeable in pedagogical practice, in the content that is being taught, and in the use of the technology being used.

Additional Resources

Below are links to additional resources with information on the topic referenced above. The RCDSB, other government departments (provincial or federal) or third-party organizations may provide these additional resources:

• SAMR model

• TPACK