EDU-641NC 1-2 Student Blog: Technology in Your School

Technology Integration in Sinapalo Elementary School

Technology nowadays is the main language of the modern world in all aspects. Every individual is evidently engaged with the so-called “applications of science” in their daily lives. Everyone has to keep coping with so many upgrades as time flies, and being literate about modern technology is considered one of the most important requirements. The nurturing stage of the newest generation in being ‘technology literate’ is the first target.

The CNMI Public School System's main goal is to improve student academic achievement through the use of technology from early childhood development centers toward all school levels and other educational programs such as Special Education, Alternative Education, etc. As stated, every student in the CNMI Public School System will achieve Technology Literacy by being able to use computers and other technology to improve learning, productivity and performance across all content areas.

Based from the Students, Parents and Staff Handbook of Sinapalo Elementary School (2023), the following are the CNMI PSS Technology Standards:

• Standard 1: Students demonstrate developmentally appropriate technology operations and concepts.
• Standard 2: Students demonstrate use of basic applications and tools.
• Standard 3: Students demonstrate use of research tools.
• Standard 4: Students demonstrate the ability to use telecommunications.
• Standard 5: Students demonstrate the use of technology in problem solving and decision making skills.
• Standard 6: Students demonstrate knowledge of social, ethical and human issues.

In order to achieve this goal, the CNMI Public School System has been granted a fund to avail several technologies for all schools in the Northern Mariana Islands.

At Sinapalo Elementary School, we make sure that technology is used in ways that align with the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) standards, which are designed to help students become successful digital learners. Our students have a 1:1 student to device ratio like Lenovo ThinkPads (5th to 6th grade) and iPads (kindergarten to 4th grade) regularly, helping them understand and develop important technology skills. For example, in our classrooms, students use Google Workspace for Education, Microsoft Office, Nearpod, and Canva to create documents and presentations, which helps them learn how to use basic applications effectively. Additionally, they use research tools like Renaissance Learning and Achieve 3000, which support their ability to gather information, analyze data, and enhance their learning.

Our students have regular access to technology, which is an essential part of their daily education. We have Technology On Wheels (TOWs) in different grade levels, equipped with Lenovo ThinkPads and iPads, so students can use technology directly in their classrooms. The school library also has iPads and Kindle tablets, providing students with additional opportunities to read and research. Each classroom has an iMac, and our Special Education and Title I classrooms have dedicated computers to ensure that all students' learning and teacher support are met (Labbe, 2005).

Technology is deeply integrated into our curriculum. The CNMI Public School System utilizes Clever to access all district-approved applications in one place. Administrators, instructional staff, and students have digital access to our curriculum resources such as the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) Into Series, Savvas Learning, and Lab Aids. Teachers use digital tools to make lessons more engaging and interactive. For example, students create and present their work using Google Slides, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Prezi. We also use interactive platforms like Nearpod, Kahoot, Quizizz, Blooket, and Gimkit to make learning fun and engaging through games and quizzes. Additionally, programs like Achieve3000, Lexia Core5 Reading, HMH Waggle, HMH Read-180 provide personalized learning experiences, helping students to progress at their own pace.

When it comes to meeting the ISTE Standards for Students (2016), our district ensures the alignment with our local technology standards. Our students are empowered learners because they use various devices and digital tools that allow them to create, collaborate, and share their work. We also focus on teaching our students to be good digital citizens by emphasizing the importance of responsible technology use. Nearpod offers ready-made digital presentations to support this agenda. However, we know there is always room for improvement, so we are working on giving students more choices in how they use technology and offering more lessons on evaluating and managing information from different sources.

Overall, our school is committed to providing the best possible technology experiences for our students. With the variety of resources and continuous training for teachers, we always try our best to ensure that our students are well-prepared to succeed in a technology-rich world.

References:

International Society for Technology in Education. (2016). ISTE Standards: For Students.

https://iste.org/standards/students

Labbé, M. (2005). The Need for Arts Education and Alternative Assessment in Light of the No Child

Left Behind Act of 2001. https://doi.org/10.25772/5z2j-p470

Sinapalo Elementary School. (2023). Students, Parents, and Staff Handbook School Year 2023-2024.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GuPTeL1pk4nD3xsJ6NsCgKTWpdc7lVh5PJmcWKbE848/edit?usp=sharing