In an ever changing world it is imperative that schools afford students the best possible opportunities by incorporating technologies as part of the teaching and learning environment. Kolbe Catholic College has unreservedly embraced this pathway and is now being recognised locally and nationally for its innovative teaching practices in the ICT domain.
To achieve this goal our teachers have welcomed the new world of information communications technology, and our students have demonstrated greater application to the learning process. These technologies have not only enabled an increase in collaboration and sharing of experiences with fellow students, but also developed skills and knowledge that will prepare them for the future. Put succinctly our students are excelling in their learning.
WHY BECOME A DIGITAL SCHOOL?
1. Improve student engagement - Teachers need to explore all avenues to challenge students so they become excited about, and develop a hunger for learning. We also know that learning styles differ between students. Technologies allow for greater flexibility in meeting the needs of individual students.
2. Connection - Acknowledging there is a growing divide between what is happening at home and school as to how young people learn, and specifically how they use learning technologies. Many of our students live in a ‘second world’ at home.
3. Culture of Learning at Kolbe – To develop a culture of learning that integrates the use of ICT for all community members, our students make use of 21st Century learning strategies to further engage them and capitalise on portable technology.
4. Redefining Schools - High quality teaching and learning experiences are the key drivers to developing this culture, not the technology. The technology amplifies good teaching.
5. Futures Oriented School - Interactive ways of learning foster creativity, collaboration and hence produce adaptable learners. Future oriented schools do not promote a culture of ‘one size fits all’, but rather create a community that enable students to ‘make a living and learn to make a life’.
Over a period of time our teachers have come to an understanding of the pedagogy and practice that encourages the use of technology as a means to improving student learning. Our staff have confidence in the technology and are able to select appropriate tools for the tasks presented to our students.
All schools are now digital schools – we are seen as a leading digital school.
ICT Innovation at Kolbe College
We reflect by listing some of our recent outstanding achievements:
- The College was the chosen to launch the Rudd Governments Digital Revolution Program;
- Staff from Kolbe are sought after to present to a wider audience including the Catholic Education Office of WA, many secondary colleges and a variety of ICT Conferences;
- On site use of wiki spaces, IWBs, laptops and access to rich digital content;
- Selection to represent Catholic Education at the recent launch of Apple’s K-12 iTunes;
- In 2009 the RIDS Program was further developed with the support of our feeder Catholic primary schools. As part of this project a model for learning was hatched and will be housed at the Contemporary Learning Resources for Australia’s CNA Learning Bank. This initiative involved the innovative use of iPod touches.
…and the process continues with following exciting projects in progress:
- we will feature as an Apple Case Study school in 2010;
- been recognised as a host site for schools to visit in Term Two in relation to implementing successful 1:1 Learning programs;
- staff from Kolbe has been invited to present at IWB’s ‘Leading A Digital School Conference’ in Melbourne in September this year.
To implement successful ICT learning programs requires more than technology