Technology Integration

We are preparing our students with the skills needed for the 21st century. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, communication, collaboration, and digital literacy have each been enhanced through the greater use of technology in our classrooms. Smart Boards used in all Pre-K through eighth grade classrooms are enabling teachers and students to engage the content of our curriculum in exciting ways.

All students in kindergarten through 8th grade are given the personal use of a Google Chromebook. While student-teacher relationships will always be at the heart of a Butler Catholic education, this 1:1 technology program is transforming our classrooms and our students.

One of the greatest benefits is increased collaboration, both from faculty-to-student and student-to-student. Students working in teams can share documents and work on group projects simultaneously. Teachers can post supplemental materials and allow students to interact with class notes. Students use their Chromebooks to take notes, complete and submit assignments, do supplemental research and access educational apps. The Chromebooks also lighten backpack load, with students able to access many of their textbooks electronically.

Technology is also increasing the ease of communication between teachers and parents. Teachers use a web-based interface to enter attendance, assignments and grades. Parents are able to use the Internet to get information about their child’s attendance, classes, assignments, daily grades and schedules.

STREAM Initiative
What is STREAM education? It is defined by the National Catholic Education Association as “the collaborative blending of 5 concepts (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) through the platform of the Catholic faith in an exploratory and inquiry based learning environment.”

STREAM is not a new curriculum, but a framework for creative instruction across a variety of subjects. Our teachers have worked together to create their own innovate and challenging projects where students work collaboratively and learn from each other to solve problems.

In addition to STREAM, our technology program has expanded to include coding for all our students. Using Chromebooks or iPads, students are writing code to program robots. First through fifth grade students are programming Dot and Dash Robots, and sixth through eighth grade students are programming Ozobots.
 

Technology at BCS

K-4 SMART Boards, Individual Chromebooks, iPad cart, Computer Lab, Dot and Dash MakeWonder Curriculum
5-8 SMART Boards, Individual Chromebooks, iPad cart, Computer Lab, Ozobot Curriculum


Online Safety

At Butler Catholic School (BCS), we prioritize the safety of our students when it comes to technology integration. We understand the potential dangers of the online world and have taken steps to protect our students. BCS implements triple filtering protection, which ensures that all internet traffic is filtered through three separate layers of protection before it reaches students. This provides an extra layer of security against inappropriate content and malicious websites. Additionally, we have implemented a comprehensive digital citizenship program that teaches students how to use technology safely, responsibly, and ethically. We educate our students about the potential dangers of social media, online predators, and cyberbullying, and equip them with the tools they need to protect themselves. Our teachers also receive ongoing training and support to stay up to date on the latest best practices in online safety. By prioritizing online safety and triple filtering protections, we aim to provide a secure environment for our students to learn, explore, and grow in a world that increasingly relies on technology.   

If you have any questions about our Technology Integration, or Online Safety, please email our IT Director, Justin Hamby, [email protected]