Programmes

LEARNING & TEACHING TECHNOLOGIES

"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics Magazine, 1949

LEARNING AND TEACHING TECHNOLOGIES

Who Are We
Contact the LTT Department
Office - 2240 6399
Email - ltt@cdnis.edu.hk

Visit the LTT Department Web Site: http://ltt.cdnis.edu.hk

What We Do
The Learning and Teaching Technologies (LTT) Department is tasked with developing the vision and leading the implementation of new information and communication educational technologies at CDNIS. The LTT Department works with all stakeholders to help them manage the complexities of navigating through the technology initiatives at CDNIS.

The core of the work of the LTT Department is helping teachers and students meet the goals of both our CDNIS and IB mission statements. In a time of rapid change and innovation brought on by new technologies, it is the responsibility of the LTT Department to support teachers and students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century, with technology-enriched teaching and learning environments.

The LTT Department works directly with teachers and students to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to integrate and infuse technologies into both curriculum and instruction. The LTT Department provides teachers with multiple strategies and opportunities for professional development throughout the year. The LTT team also supports teachers and students in classrooms as teachers work towards infusing technology into their lessons.

The LTT Department is guided by the following working guidelines:

LTT Department Web Site
The LTT website ( http://ltt.cdnis.edu.hk ) consists of information about the 1:1 notebook programme, notebook order forms, all the policies that guide the technology initiative, information about parent and teacher training, video tutorials on software, and showcases photos and videos on teachers and students' experiences using technology.

Labs and Classrooms - 1025, 701, 517 The iMac Lab in room 1025 is designed for students from Pre Reception to Grade 1. The lab is equipped with 27 iMacs, an LCD projector, age appropriate software and website accessibility and the iLife and iWork multimedia package to help build numeracy and literacy skills, research for information, and develop creativity and presentation skills. Mandarin teachers can also use the space to teach students to type in Pin Yin and use some fabulous online resources to support foreign language studies.

The Media Centre in room 701 is equipped with two green screen stages and two audio production rooms. Using BoinxTV, students as young as Grade 5 can do video switching, green screen effects and recording with very little technical assistance. It has become a popular space for students to create content from their MacBook to showcase their knowledge and understanding of any subject.

The Upper School Lab in room 517 is a multi-purpose computer lab that is used mainly by Visual Arts, Music and Film Studies students. The lab is equipped with professional Apple computers and large file storage servers to meet the needs of the teachers and students. All users are encouraged to integrate technology into arts, photography, audio production and video production. We are in the process of "rethinking" what it is we need from a support centre in a 1:1 notebook programme. Essentially, we are asking ourselves, what should a 21st century computer resource centre look like?

Notebook Programme - 1:4 and 1:1
The CDNIS notebook programme began in December 2006 when 30 volunteer classroom teachers were given Apple MacBook notebooks. The volunteer teachers represented a cross section of grades and discipline teams in both the Lower and Upper Schools. One year later the students from the first teacher group received their MacBooks. The following year, building on the positive experience of the first group, another 55 teachers were provided with MacBooks. Six months later, those teacher's students received their MacBooks. By August 2008, all CDNIS teachers had been issued a MacBook notebook. In August 2010, the last remaining Upper School students will move into the 1:1 programme.

CDNIS has two distinct MacBook programmes. The first is limited to Grades 2 through 4 in which the notebooks are owned by CDNIS. The ratio of computers to students for this programme is 1:4. The notebooks are stored in mobile carts that can be easily moved between classrooms.

The second notebook programme spans the Lower and Upper Schools. This model has a 1:1 ratio meaning that every student has a personally owned notebook. This programme starts at Grade 5 and extends to Grade 12. Our experience has shown us, and research supports, that a student's learning is more personally relevant and ultimately improved if he or she has access to a personally owned notebook - that he or she can use in a carefully guided learning environment.

Teachers and students are using the notebooks to work with web-based applications like GoChinese, VoiceThread, WordPress, GoogleDocs and even computer-based applications like GargageBand and Pages. Students also have access to software applications like Photoshop and Excel. Teachers at each grade level determine the set of applications their students will need.

Notebook versions and software images are all managed by CDNIS, although parents purchase the notebooks directly from Senco-Masslink. Notebooks are then delivered to the school and distributed to students who must sign the acceptable use policy.

Technology Integrated Classrooms
All CDNIS classrooms have wireless connection points to support our notebook programme. All classrooms also have ceiling mounted projectors with accompanying sound systems. Many of our classrooms, where teachers find them relevant to their discipline and grade level, have interactive whiteboards.

Acceptable Use Policy
The proper care and responsible use of information and communications tools as well as images and videos are fundamental to information and computer literacy. CDNIS expects all students to respect and adhere to all school-wide and homeroom developed acceptable use policies.

The LTT team also works directly with teachers, students, and parents to help them manage the complexities and impact of digital technologies on traditional environments and personal relationships. Policies, procedures, expectations for use and care of technologies are posted on the LTT website.

Some key points on the AUP
(to see the full text visit- http://ltt.cdnis.edu.hk/content/policies.)

Each user commits to:

CIT - Apple Regional Centre
The CDNIS Centre for Innovative Teaching - an Authorized Apple Regional Training Centre (RTC) - builds on the experience and achievements of Apple Distinguished Educators using technology in the classroom.

Courses are tailored towards practical knowledge and skills to increase the participants' productivity, efficiency, and comfort with the OSX operating system and iLife, the multimedia software that comes with every new Mac.

Please contact the LTT Department or visit http://cit.cdnis.edu.hk for further details.

Parents - CISPA Talks, trainings
The LTT Department delivers talks to parents on a variety of topics throughout the year. To date, sessions have varied from cyber safety and the use of wikis in learning environments to how to get the most out of your iPhone. It is the goal of the LTT Department to build a solid relationship with CDNIS parents in order to support them as they work with their children with technology at home. It is also important to the LTT to get parent feedbacks about their experiences. These workshops are aimed at developing competency in parents as well as to assist parents in understanding the learning journey of their children. Further information about topics and dates can be found in the Flash or CISPA website.