TECHNOLOGY

secondary

Philosophy

In line with BVS philosophy, the technology department promotes a learning environment in which the students face and apply a wide range of tools available in the computer science field. Taking advantage of this diversity, we aim to provide the students with projects and activities that enhance other subject areas and daily tasks.

We strive to enhance the students’ enthusiasm for learning by offering attractive options from the latest technology, a well-prepared staff, and a dynamic curriculum that enables the students to operate in a tech-demanding world.

Curriculum

The computer science curriculum is diverse and strong. Students start their computer science lessons while in Montessori, where they receive an introduction to programming using Micro Worlds (Logo) that encourages them to be analytical, critical, and creative. Students design, build, and animate ideas using the Logo language. Through drawing programs and didactic games they become acquainted with mouse and keyboard, in the process also favoring their fine motor skills.

From their early years, students learn to place their hands correctly, the appropriate use of the keyboard, and improve their skills with a typing tutorial: by the end of elementary they can type confidently, swiftly, and efficiently.

Students progress into proper use of the essential Office applications including word processing, spreadsheet usage, and multimedia presentations.

They apply these skills in the interdisciplinary academic subjects projects, complementing them with music, videos, animations, graphics, pictures, and tables. They also learn to enrich their learning creating concept maps with the Cmap tools program.

Technology is integrated into the classroom with an up-to-date computer science curriculum and appropriate resources. Teachers and students have access to multiple mobile devices like iPads and Kindles with support from specialists to enhance the learning experience.

In middle school, each student receives an iPad as a learning device incorporated into the lessons. These devices allow students constant access to online information, research, and the use of different online programs according to the subject matter the teacher is addressing. In their computer lab lessons, they also work with the Adobe Suite, an educational program with powerful tools that include Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash, and Dreamweaver and learn to use the iLife software. Simultaneously, they are strengthening their use of MS Office and Cmap Tools.

In addition, from fourth to ninth grade students spend fifteen minutes daily on the Progrentis digital program that improves their Spanish reading skills (speed and comprehension).

Once in high school, students have the opportunity of taking a vast variety of subjects as elective courses. These subjects range from digital design, for our school paper and yearbook, to high caliber programming fields, such as web design and Java programming, and computer science principles, including programming languages Karel and JavaScript.

The BVS community joins the World Wide Web using applications provided by "clouds", allowing them to publish, organize and share their documents, schedule their activities, communicate through "chat" tools, and organize remote working groups (each student from their own house.)

Preschool

  • Develop the students’ psychomotor skills.
  • Improve fine motor skills through the correct use of the keyboard and the mouse, with computer applications and Internet online programs.
  • Improve hand-eye coordination.
  • Familiarize the student with the appropriate utilization of all computer components.
  • Practice and improve oral and written language skills.
  • Apply some aspects of laterality when representing ideas and thoughts, by using specific educational applications with the computer.

Elementary and Middle School

  • Combine graphics and texts in order to represent ideas and concepts, using educational computer applications and other friendly software.
  • Express the child’s creativity by implementing computer projects on many different subjects.
  • Develop observation and thinking skills.
  • Appreciate technological advances and how they help society and individuals (at their level e.g. to learn about science and languages.)
  • Strengthen cooperation and support among peers during problem-solving situations.
  • Promote experimentation through the trial and error method when working with different software and applications.
tecnologia

High School

After completion of any of the elective courses, the student shall be prepared and trained to:

  • Plan, develop, and implement specific projects according to the current course.
  • Obtain a tangible final product when the training program ends.
  • Convey his interest towards more specific fields such as: programming, web page design, animations, photography, publishing, etc.
  • Handle specific uses of technology in everyday academic or work-related activities.
  • Develop students’ understanding of the capabilities of current and emerging IT systems and evaluate their impact on a range of stakeholders.
  • Show a complete and precise knowledge of the computer tools offered by the Office software.
  • Be aware of the importance and utility of computer technology and its impact on their present activities and future careers.
  • Have a good command of the Operational System; know about the different tools offered by OS, and understand the importance of using those tools in keeping the computer operational.
  • Possess good keyboarding skills, and type correctly with touch-typing techniques.
  • Have good word processing skills and utilize Word efficiently.
  • Utilize Power Point and Prezi presentation software efficiently.
  • Utilize the Excel spreadsheet software efficiently.
  • Use the Internet in a skilled and conscientious manner.
  • Investigate and write research papers following good and efficient procedures, properly quoting the sources.
  • Learn and utilize a wide array of software packages and tools about music, animations, imaging, photography, etc., according to the student’s particular needs and interests.

Resources

We have three computer labs (preschool, elementary and secondary school) for computer science lessons. Every classroom is equipped with a computer and a video beam to activate interactive boards, maximizing learning with attractive teaching possibilities. The library has numerous computers for research. Laptop caddies are available for class groups to use upon demand. Fiber optics and broadband expedites the Wi-Fi system for Internet across the campus. Students, staff, parents, and visitors can readily connect their devices.

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PowerSchool

PowerSchool is the digital educational platform that students and parents can access for general and specific information on the student’s situation and progress. Through the PowerTeacher module, teachers periodically enter their grades for students from fourth grade and above. Grades for younger children (through third grade) are not accessible because evaluations are qualitative, entered in letter grading, and it may cause inconsistencies in the averages. Parents can access this information by requesting an account via e-mail. mail@bluevalley.ed.cr

PowerSchool for Students and Parents
https://bluevalley.powerschool.com/public/home.html

PowerSchool for Teachers
https://bluevalley.powerschool.com/teachers/pw.html

 

Destiny

The Online software for the library contains the catalog of books for students.https://bluevalley.follettdestiny.com/

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/bluevalleyschool/