At AIS we are conscious that our students operate in an increasingly digital and global world.
In order to prepare them as effective 21st century citizens, we need to provide them with the opportunity to learn all the digital skills necessary for them to use relevant technology, and teach them how to use that knowledge responsibly.
This can be accomplished by developing what are known as the “Seven C’s”. Those C’s include: critical thinking; creativity and innovation; collaboration; cross-cultural understanding and communication. There are evident links between these skills and the ten attributes of the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills that we strive to develop in students through the IB Programmes at AIS.
Access to technology
At AIS we provide our students with access to technology in the classroom through a vast array devices and online resources.
Preschool
Each Preschool class has two or three computers (depending on the age of the students) and access to a set of 12 PCs in a shared Pod area.
Junior School (Prep to Year 2)
Every classroom in Preparatory to Year 2 has five PCs and access to a dedicated computer lab.
Primary School (Year 3 to 5)
Our Primary ICT program has expanded to equip each class with 13 netbooks per class, housed in a portable cabinet. This gives each class a student to computer ratio of 1:2. Having the netbooks in portable cabinets also allows teachers the flexibility to share the netbooks with another class which can provide a 1:1 student to computer ratio when the learning situation requires.
Secondary School
The AIS 1:1 laptop program began in 2010 with Year 10 students being issued their own laptop. In 2011 the 1:1 laptop program at AIS was expanded when Years 6 to 9 were issued with their own Dell Vostro laptops. By the start of the 2012 academic year, every student from Year 6 to Year 12 will be part of the AIS 1:1 Laptop Program.
Art
Our Visual Arts and Digital Media students have access to three Visual Arts rooms fully equipped with specialized high end computers with 22” monitors, allowing students to utilise the specialized software and media devices used in the Visual Arts courses.
Music
AIS provides Music students with two computer labs, each with Midi keyboards running specialised Music software including Sibelius, Auralia, Sony Vegas, Acid and Sound Forge.
Interactive White Boards
As well as the commitment to a Projector in every room, each classroom from Prep to Year 12 has a Promethean Interactive White Board. Preschool currently has one IWB, with more planned in 2012.
Portal and eLearning
Teachers are encouraged to upload all resources for students to the AIS online intranet, MOSS (SharePoint), which allows students to access their work from anywhere. Teachers use MOSS to develop Wiki sites, discussion forums and areas for collaboration in Units of Inquiry.
Moodle is the School’s content management system, allowing courses to be presented and managed online for student access.
Our Wordpress server allows an EduBlog-style site to exist within the School without staff and students having to have an extra username and password.
Parents are given a login for the MOSS portal (which can provide information on their children’s assignments, homework, learning resources and parent information) and the Synergetic admin system for viewing their children’s reports and making parent-teacher meetings. They receive a separate login for the Campus Online, where they can top up the family Smart Card and order lunches from the canteen online.
Being Safe Online
A critical component of 21st Century Learning is providing access to our students to the wealth of powerful online resources that can transform teaching and learning. While the School is committed to the wonderful benefits online learning can bring, it also recognises the need to teach students to be responsible digital citizens and to understand that going online can present students with potential safety issues and dangers they need to be aware of.
Responsible and safe use of the Internet is clearly outlined in the AIS ICT Acceptable Use Policy 2011 which is read and accepted by all students and parents at AIS. At AIS we adopt an educative approach with regards to the responsible use of the Internet and cyber safety. Our aim is to encourage our students to think about how they are using the Internet and what they can do to stay safe. Internet safety is discussed in assemblies and when using the Internet as part of classwork or homework.
While at school, Internet use by students is filtered, blocking most potentially dangerous sites. We believe that although we have policies and filters in place, education is the most effective way of protecting our young people.
Teacher Professional Development
AIS is committed to supporting our teachers in the use of digital technologies and equipping them with the skills and knowledge required for 21st Century Learning. This support is evident in a variety of ways including providing each teacher with their own laptop and offering extensive professional development opportunities to teachers. Having highly skilled teachers is integral to the success of the program. The appointment a full time ICT Coach/Facilitator with a focus on supporting staff, students and parents in the implementation of the 1:1 Laptop Program is further evidence of the School’s commitment to supporting the program.