TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY AT CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Concordia integrates technology across its curriculum in each grade. Students learn to use technology appropriately to enhance learning and become both producers and consumers of digital information.
Texas’ First SMART Exemplary School
We believe in the power of technology to change the lives of students and teachers. We know we are preparing students for a world of rapid change, technology infusion, and new technologies that do not yet exist. Our students are equipped for a world of rapid change. They utilize the power of technology to enhance learning, deepen understanding and to become both consumers and producers of relevant content.
Because Concordia has intentionally provided teachers and students with technology tools to complement best instructional practices and provide positive student outcomes, SMART technologies recognized Concordia as the first SMART Exemplary School in the state of Texas. This distinction recognizes Concordia’s ongoing efforts to empower both students and teachers with innovative tools that enhance learning and promote effective and responsible technology use.
SMART partnered with Concordia to pilot a program that empowered students to become trainers of SMART tools, allowing them to become experts in their own learning communities. As a result of this partnership, Concordia students have provided training in SMART board capabilities to teachers in local districts and to attendees at the world’s largest Education Technology conference, ISTE.
Every classroom at Concordia is equipped with a SMART board.
iPads: Concordia implements technology across all grades. Because we believe students should learn to use technology appropriately, our students begin to use technology to enrich their learning beginning in Pre-K. Concordia students in Pre-K through fourth grade have class sets of iPads, with students implementing technology to support curriculum materials and instruction. Beginning in fifth grade and continuing through middle school, students are issued a personal iPad that travels to and from school with them each day. Students are responsible for protecting and maintaining their iPad, and also for ensuring it is charged and ready for the day’s activities. Students use iPads to both consume and produce digital information. Student safety–not just physical safety but also internet safety–is paramount. Our IT department uses powerful filtering software to protect our students from any inappropriate or harmful material they may encounter on the internet. The filtering is in place to protect the iPad even when it is off campus. Not only does it protect the students from unexpectedly viewing harmful material, it also keeps student searches from producing inappropriate images or text. Should any student attempt to circumvent the protections that are in place, the IT department is alerted immediately. Additionally, because students need to understand the importance of responsible digital footprints, Digital Citizenship is a required elective for all sixth graders and new middle school students.
TCEA EmpowerED
Concordia is one of only six schools in the state chosen to participate in the EmpowerED program offered by TCEA, the Texas Computer Education Association. TCEA staff will work directly with Concordia staff members over the coming year to implement research-driven instructional strategies combined with technology tools to create institutional change which accelerates student learning.
In addition to collaborating with TCEA staff, Concordia is part of the cohort of six campuses state-wide that communicate with each other to share current challenges, work through solutions and celebrate each other’s successes throughout the year.