Learning Technology
At St Patrick’s, we have a range of learning technologies our students have access to. Teachers plan and collaborate in order to incorporate learning technologies across all Key Learning Areas. Teachers are regularly involved in training courses provided by the CSO and external providers and are provided with opportunities to share their knowledge with colleagues.
The staff at St Patrick's believe the use of learning technologies in our everyday practices, better prepares students for the demands of an ever-changing world. We strive to achieve powerful teaching and learning, and improve the learning of all students we come into contact with.
Every classroom is fitted with an interactive SMART Board and projector and a laptop/computer for the teacher. The computer lab has a SMART Board, projector and a bank of 30 desktops for lessons. The Learning Hub also has virtual conferencing capabilities.
The school has a variety of technology including:
- BeeBots
- 30 iPads
- Spheros
- 30 laptops
Teachers incorporate coding into their technology time in the computer lab, as well as during different KLAs. Some examples include:
- Infant’s classes use Grok Learning to code digitally and are exposed to offline coding in the classroom, using hands-on materials such as Lego
- Stage 2 work on programs such Grok Learning and Scratch to assist in creating music, creating scenes of characters and adding narration
- Stage 3 work on coding with relation to binary coding and Grok Learning.
All students develop skills of computational thinking, the creation and use of different levels of abstraction to better understand and solve problems, including using algorithms.
We promote the safe and responsible use of these learning technologies, particularly when students are online. Students are taught to understand the behaviours and processes that will help them to act in a safe and responsible manner when using digital technologies.
St Patrick’s has a specialist teacher that teaches Science and Technology and History and Geography for all students in K to 6. The teacher engages the students by incorporating technology as a tool for investigation and exposing them to digital operations that will benefit and enhance their future learning.
St Patrick’s encourages students to excel technology by implementing extra-curricular activities such as the Hunter EV Festival. This is an Electronic Vehicle event that occurs every year. Students from Years 4 to 6 are given the opportunity to work in teams to create a solar-run vehicle that will compete in a school then local-based competition. This event creates excitement and autonomy in the children’s learning and gives those gifted in electrical construction to shine in the limelight.
