It is our goal that our learners are thoughtful with technology as a tool for inquiry, for the collection of evidence, for innovation and as a foundation for presentation. It inspires critical thinking that enables us to problem solve and take responsive action. Technology provides our students with personal connection to the world around them, and assists them to become their personal best in a steadily evolving in a culturally distinct world.
We motivate our students to move beyond digital consumption and evolve into problem-solvers, creators, and innovators. We understand that technology can have a very positive impact on learning and achievement when it engages students in their learning and creates greater conceptual understanding.
Our students capture their learning with school-provided iPads and MacBooks and present their progress on digital portfolios. It is our priority to ensure our learners and equipped with the knowledge and proper application of safe technical literacy as well as enforce principled digital citizenship.
Below is an overview of how technology enhances learning throughout the IB program at Fraser Valley School.
Technology-enhanced learning starts in our Primary Years Programme. It is our philosophy that working with technology at a young age should only require a minimum amount of screen time. Some instances of technology use our the kindergarten classes may include:
These experiences support discovery that connects their school and the outside world and enables young learners to see a larger construct of global interdependencies. Video recordings of students sent to parents through the Toddle platform create opportunities for youngsters to reflect and understand their thinking, and to share it with genuine audiences.
Each school year begins with a digital citizenship overview, personalized for each grade. Students create an Essential Agreement that clearly establishes the rules and expectations surrounding their use of technology during school hours. Technology-enhanced learning continues in our Primary Years Programme. It is our philosophy that working with technology at a young age should only require a minimum amount of screen time. Some instances of technology use our the grade one & two classes may include:
Students in Grades 1 to 2 participate in a 3:1 iPad programme throughout the year. iPads provide opportunities to interact with our community and exchange information. iPads also help to support the broader school vision of using technology to enhance and personalise learning, and to develop digital literacy and citizenship of our students.
Technology-enhanced learning expands in grades 3-5. iPads help support student academics, and develop digital literacy and citizenship.
Some instances of technology use in our grade 3-5 classes may include:
While we understand that using technology to support learning has many advantages, we acknowledge there may also be dangers if used inappropriately. Our teachers work with students and parents to ensure that they understand the potential risks and have strategies to avoid and manage them. Every student signs a digital citizenship and technology use agreement at the beginning of the year to reinforce this understanding. Technology is just one medium to support learning and it is important that it doesn’t become a distraction or cause an imbalance in focus for students. We want every student to finish the PYP with the confidence to be a creator of technology, and not simply a consumer.
The technology program thrives in our middle-years program. Students are taught to be conscience independent thinkers and information evaluators. Technology in the grade 6-8 classes supports individual learning by providing access to international perspectives and allows our learners to become thoughtful creators and innovators. Each student in grade 6-8 is given a school provided 1:1 Macbook for use in our maker-spaces and design lab.
Some instances of technology in the middle-years program use may include:
Communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills are taught within the context of each subject: online research skills through Individuals & Societies, collecting and evaluating data in Science, numerical thinking skills for problem solving in Mathematics, and writing for online audiences in English Language and Literature. Students build on this groundwork and develop a digital toolkit that enhances and extends learning throughout their MYP years.
