At Butler Catholic School, we can’t wait for students to return to classes Aug. 24! In preparation for another exciting year of academics, faculty and staff have been learning to use new technology and digital tools designed to enhance experiences in the classroom.
“This year, our faculty will usher in a new era of technological prowess!” explained Justin Hamby, director of technology for BCS. “Our educators have the latest tools at their fingertips.”
Among those tools are new laptops and Interactive Flat Panels, which allow teachers to consolidate digital classroom display skills such as whiteboarding, videoconferencing, and screensharing.
In addition to being trained in new technology, faculty recently completed a comprehensive, two-day training experience with Mr. Hamby that introduced them to the latest technological trends and best cybersecurity practices.
This training allowed faculty to not only master the ins and outs of interactive ViewSonic ViewBoards, but also participate in hands-on learning and develop a better understanding of how to efficiently use technology in the classroom.
“We're committed to providing our students with the best learning environment and our teachers with the most innovative tools to guide them,” Mr. Hamby concluded.
Tech updates aren’t just happening in our classrooms. This summer, we’ve also taken the opportunity to make improvements to the BCS campus. Remodeling the school IT department office has allowed us to build a functional space conducive to innovation. Our school weather station has also recently been upgraded, putting it in a position to become a valuable tool for students.
With a special dedication to safety, we’ve implemented new security systems in the school garden that we are continuing to expand and develop. Future plans include the installation of a live cam in the chicken coop, which will allow families to see what our feathered friends are up to during the day!
The improvements made to school operations this summer are just the beginning. Our IT department continues to work hard to ensure a seamless digital experience on campus. From networking upgrades to expansion of our WiFi coverage, we continue to improve the learning classroom experience for both teachers and students.
“Connectivity issues will be a thing of the past,” Mr. Hamby added. “Furthermore, in line with our goal to reduce our carbon footprint and enhance efficiency, several paper-based systems are transitioning to become fully digital.”
As we embark on this academic year, we're excited about the positive impacts these upgrades will bring to our school community. Stay tuned for more updates by finding us on Facebook!