Technology and the Laptop Program at Sacred Heart
Student Policy for the Ethical and Responsible Use of Technology
Technology and the Laptop Program at Sacred HeartStudent Policy for the Ethical and Responsible Use of Technology |
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Sacred Heart students are poised and challenged to become lifelong learners in the ever changing world of technology. Sacred Heart has a state-of-the-art academic wing to prepare students for the 21st century. Located on the corner of Jena and Carondelet Streets, the 17,000 square foot addition, completed in 1998, provides High School and Middle School students with the latest in science and technology. Included in the wing are six new science labs: two biology labs along with chemistry, physics, life sciences and physical science labs. All are equipped with the laptop computers and the latest science equipment designed to interface with computers. Each lab was designed to allow for the greatest flexibility in configuration, making movable workstations possible. Two new computer labs, each with the latest computer hardware and software, are located on the High School and Middle School floors of the wing. The wing also includes a resource room, fine arts center and music room. The campaign project also provided for the expansion of the school library, with an integrated and advanced research center supported by computer technology.
Sacred Heart implemented the Learning with Laptops program in the high school four years ago in which each student has a laptop for "anytime-anywhere learning." The program has continued to grow and has been very successful in allowing us to integrate technology into the curriculum in a seamless manner. Sister Lieux, High School principal, shares just some of the ways students are using technology in the high school in her letter to incoming students:
 | CD-ROMs are used in
Religion IV and Calculus Honors as the textbook for these
classes. |
| Students are taught to
utilize the online state database provided through our network
as well as through their local parish public library. |
| In the 9th Grade,
students use a website, beyondbooks.com, for their World
History textbook. |
| The math department,
after attending a workshop in Houston in the fall, has begun to
incorporate the use of Excel. In Geometry, students use a
program, Geometer's Sketchpad, to introduce new material, to
reinforce concepts and to do creative projects. |
| In Statistics, students
have used the Internet to find data to perform statistical
calculations. |
| In Algebra II, Excel is
used for classroom demonstrations and students present and
analyze survey information and other data using this program. |
| All students in the high
school access a website for vocabulary work. |
| In US History, students
take notes, compile comparison and synthesis charts, create
PowerPoints, and do research with their laptops. |
| In English I, students
have used Microsoft Reader to convert Word documents into an
ebook. They can use Microsoft Reader when studying Othello. |
| In English II, students
use the laptops for writing essays and for peer editing the
work of their classmates. A PowerPoint presentation,
"Major British Author" project, is also a part of
their curriculum. |
| In English III, students
weekly email reading response assignments to the class
listserv. They also use Microsoft Reader weekly for
"Sustained Silent Reading." |
| In all of the English
classes, the Internet vocabulary program, Get A Clue, is used
regularly. |
| In French classes,
students use audio files to practice listening comprehension
and speaking and for oral quizzes. They also learn and practice
vocabulary using Triple Play Plus. |
| The Internet is a
valuable tool for foreign language classes as it allows
students to access native speaking radios, newspapers, and
other authentic materials. |
| In the science labs,
students use data probes, which interface with software on
their laptops to collect and analyze data. |
| In Ecology, students
participate in a national online water quality survey. |
| In the Physics classes,
students utilize simulation software. They also practice
physics problems on a homework site created by their teacher. |
| Students in a variety of
classes use their laptops for taking and organizing their notes
and for doing research on the Internet. Often their research is
presented to the class as a PowerPoint presentation. | |
This is only a partial list of the many learning experiences that our students are having because of the use of technology in the high school. The program will continue to flourish and enrich the learning environment in the high school. Students will be poised and challenged to become lifelong learners in the new world of technology.