The technology tools used at The Prairie School enhance teachers’ ability to reach all learners, deepen students’ understanding, and provide skills necessary for their success in a 21st-century learning environment.
1:1 Program
Teachers and students throughout all three divisions at Prairie use iPads to practice skills, demonstrate understanding, foster independent exploration, reinforce collaboration, and allow for differentiation. In the Primary School, teachers share grade-level sets of devices that are used daily. In fall 2012 we launched a 1:1 Program whereby each student in grades 5-12 receives an iPad for use at school and home. The iPad has changed the way Prairie students learn by giving them anytime access to the internet and a mobile solution for research and composition. The iPads are on a two-year lease cycle; each student receives a new, updated version of the iPad every two years.
- A Letter from the Director of Technology PDF : This is a letter from the Director of Technology supporting the rationale behind the iPad program.
- FAQS: On this web page you will find the answers to frequently asked questions about our program.
Google Apps for Education
The backbone of our students’ daily workflow is based in Google Apps. Each student in grades 2-12 is assigned a Prairie School Google account, which provides access to email, calendars, documents, and much more! The students create, share, and collaborate on documents with their peers and teachers, while the teachers keep students apprised of course assignments through class calendars. The vast majority of our students’ school work is accessible to them through this single account, which is easily integrated with their personal iPad and also accessible via any device with an internet connection.
Other Relevant Tools
In addition to our iPad Program, we also have hundreds of Mac laptops and desktops available to our students for lessons better suited to those devices. In addition to projectors or large format TVs, all of our classrooms feature an Apple TV, a device that allows teachers and students to quickly share the content from their devices with the rest of the class. Our Student Resource Center includes a desktop computer lab furnished with 22 iMacs, each equipped with Adobe tools for high-end media production by large groups. Primary School students are introduced to programming using Lego Mindstorms, and Middle and Upper School electives in Robotics are offered, as well. In the fall of 2018, we will be opening a dedicated Maker Space in our field house, where we will be expanding our 3D printing and laser cutting tools and capabilities. Our goal is to continue to introduce relevant, innovative technology, and we accomplish that by providing students with personalized access to the best technology available.
Digital Literacy Instruction
Given that we are immersed in a rapidly changing world of media and technology, we feel it is of utmost importance that we help students become wise navigators of, thoughtful contributors to, and shrewd consumers of information. Using curriculum created by Common Sense Media, we regularly incorporate lessons throughout the year in grades K-12 that age-appropriately introduce themes of internet safety, privacy and security, relationships and communication, cyberbullying, digital footprint and reputation, self-image and identity, information literacy, and creative credit and copyright.
New To Prairie?
BEFORE RECEIVING A STUDENT IPAD
If your child is entering grades 5-12 for the first time at Prairie, they will need to take care of a couple of things prior to receiving their iPad at the technology portion of the Summer Bridge Program at the end of the summer (or arriving at school if you are entering mid-year).
iPad Loan Agreement & Student Expectations Form (ALL New Students, Grades 5-12) You will need to download and print the Loan Agreement/Student Expectations sheet. This very important document needs to be viewed by both parents and the student PRIOR to a student receiving an iPad. This SIGNED sheet will be the “admission ticket” that each student will need to bring with them to orientation.
“Home Rules” Discussion
As you read through the student expectations portion of the document, we encourage you to use this as an opportunity to discuss what rules or limits your family will have when your child uses the device at home or outside of school. As is the case with any Internet-capable device, it is of utmost importance that your child understands clear boundaries as to its use. Taking the time to have this discussion before the device is in your home will help best establish a clear understanding of your expectations.
FOR STUDENTS ENTERING GRADES 5-7 (Under 13 as of June 30, 2017):
As students in these grades typically are under 13, an additional step will need to be taken by families to be in accordance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
If your child is NOT the age of 13 prior to June 30th, 2017, you will need to send an email to me giving your consent to create a school Apple ID account on behalf of him or her. Please send this ASAP to me at:
FOR STUDENTS ENTERING GRADES 8-12 (ages 13+ as of June 30, 2017):
All electronic accounts will be created for you and will be preloaded on your iPad. All you will need to do is bring your signed Loan Agreement & Student Expectations Form to the Summer Bridge Program.
News & Highlights
Parent Resources
Documents
Social Media Information
- Internet Safety Tips for Primary School
- Internet Safety Tips for Middle School
- Common Sense Media
- Media! Tech! Parenting!
- A Platform for Good
Articles
- Cyber Safety: An Interactive Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet
- How to Determine Website Credibility
- Social Media Sandbox
- 15 Sites and Apps Kids Are Heading to Beyond Facebook
- Parenting in a Digital Age
- Monitoring Kids on Facebook? That’s so 2009
- A Letter to the Parents of Digital-Age Parents
- Parenting Articles about Technology & Kids