Technology

Highland Park ISD is committed to being an organization that encourages all students and community members to be life-long learners. Essential to this vision is the development of the use of state-of-the-art technology that empowers teachers, students, and other adults to create learning experiences from the vast storehouse of information available both within and beyond the school building. In educating its students for the future, the district believes that schools must take part in equipping students, teachers, and the community to use all technology efficiently. This year, the district is committed to its vision of being an EXEMPLARY district, and we believe that our technology plays a major part in this endeavor.

WE BELIEVE
HP is committed to leading the way through progressive technology and advanced instructional techniques to develop an educational experience that produces successful life-long learners.

Every Child Counts

We began our technology adventure in 2006 with a one to one laptop program in grades 6-12 with the passing of a bond. The one to one continued from 2006-2012. In 2012 we did a refresh of laptops grades 7-12. The 6th graders recieved our laptops that stayed at school. It was at this time we added iPads in Prek-5. Prior to this, elementary had 4 desktops in each classroom. With the iPad, We found a cost effective way to put technology in the hands of our youngest students. We have had iPads in our elementary classes now for 2 years. This year, we have bought iPads for our sixth grade replacing the laptops. They will carry the iPads until 8th grade and then we will move these down to the elementary classes as the 8th grade moves to highschool. The trend from our research shows that in 3 to 4 years, it is possible that some form of tablet will replace laptops as the primary technology device. However, we choose to wait to decide what we will do the closer we get. We will sell seniors their laptops as they graduate. The first year is 85%, the second 70, the third 55 and freshman 35. This gives them ownership of the technology and also provides us funds to help offset our replacements. This past year we sold surplus laptops to the community and raised 40,000 which went towards our 6th grade iPads and cases.

Learning Never Exhausts the Mind
PK-2: Four iPads in a classroom
Grades 3-5: 22 iPads (One to One)

The primary PK-2 grades mainly use their iPads as centers where the older grade levels individualize instruction with their iPads. Our incoming 6th graders, who used iPads as 5th graders, will be this years transition as we purchase new ipads for 6th grade. 7-12 will continue using laptops. Next year, we will purchase 6th grade ipads again and move the current 6th grade to 7th. Our goal will be to get all JH students using iPads in 3 years and then determine our move as the table students enter HS.

IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING
Any new technology requires time and training. We believe our iPads bring excitement and empower our students to facilitate their own learning.

It didn’t take long after rolling out the iPads to learn that these students have grown up in the digital age. Most of our students have already used apps on their parents phones. They are great for visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning. iPads in the younger classrooms are used in centers and Fun Fridays for Language Arts, math, communication, social and fun. It provides a hands on way to practice phonics, writing, reading, and individualized learning.

Rationale for our Technology Program

Among other things, technology offer the teachers a way to individualize instruction, measure progress with great precision, simulate processes, and break down geographical barriers. It is a way to improve student enthusiasm toward learning and provide equal access to all of our learners. We envision a school in which all available technologies are utilized seamlessly into the classroom creating a greater community of learning among students and faculty.

Mr. Hayes Science Videos

http://www.youtube.com/hpisdhayes

Information

Social Networking

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat and other similar sites are designed to allow people to share their personal information, including pictures, names and addresses, schools they attend, cell and home phone numbers, and pretty much any information they can think of. The minimum age requirement of most of these sites is 13 years old; however the safeguards they use to verify age are not foolproof. The content contained within social sites is not monitored nor are contacts that your child may make.

NetSmartz - A helpful site for parents.

Pause Before You Post

Pause Before You Post is a public service program from Jostens encouraging everyone to make smart decisions about personal publishing. Through expert advice online and in schools, we’re hoping to make teens and parents more aware of the responsibilities and consequences of sharing information, particularly through online social media.

Make a statement supporting Pause Before You Post^™ and spread the word in your community with the following pledge: I believe in making smart decisions when I share information online and want to spread the word to my friends, family and community about taking time to Pause Before You Post.

Before I make a post, I pledge to ask myself:

Who will be able to see what I post?
Will anyone be embarrassed or hurt by it?
Am I proud of what I’m posting?
How I would feel if someone posted it about me?

Pledge now