St. Joseph School is in the midst of a far reaching technology overhaul which  includes:

Interactive, touch-screen technology that engages children and gives them an exciting opportunity to learn in one of their favorite ways

Student Response Pads (aka “Clickers”) will allow our teachers to receive real time information on the learning happening in the classrooms.  Because each student gives a response, the teacher may quickly adjust his/her lecture, their explanation of a concept or even move on because they will know the children have mastered the information. Teachers who use response pad technology in their classrooms on a consistent basis and as a formative assessment tool on average will have students increasing their results on bench marked assessments from 10-30% (depending on the study).

Learning stations/Pods where students may work in small groups will enhance the small group, multi-age experience.  Learning opportunities increase exponentially when children are able to use the tools and resources available to them.  We believe that engaged students are learning students.  Those who are tuned-out, are not. 

Learning in and outside of the classroom through seamless resources. Resources like Accelerated Reader, Rosetta stone online curriculum, IXL Math, Spelling City and other Open Source software programs (Free learning aids) give students the ability to continue on lessons and sections from the school day, and through summer months.

“Learning has become multidimensional with music, sound, visuals and can and does happen 24/7 at any time and any place. The expectation of today’s student is that learning will be more relevant, authentic, timely and real.”
-Elizabeth Bauer, Michigan Board of Education Member

MAP Testing
MAP tests will be used as one of the main drivers for selecting our learning groups, which provide the individualized experience for our children.  These tests allow our faculty to essentially plan a skill “road map” for each student and then work with them on the skills they need to further develop and master. A description of the MAP test, taken from the NWEA website.

MAP® stands for Measures of Academic Progress®
Understanding each student’s academic level gives teachers the power to help them excel. MAP computerized adaptive assessments are the tools that make it possible – providing educators with the detailed information they need to build curriculum and meet their students’ needs, one child at a time.

Each child learns differently. So we developed computerized adaptive assessments that test differently, allowing teachers to see their students as individuals – each with their own base of knowledge. NWEA Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®) tests present students with engaging, age-appropriate content. As a student responds to questions, the test responds to the student, adjusting up or down in difficulty. The result is a rewarding experience for the student, and a wealth of detailed information for teachers, parents and administrators.