St. Viator High named Apple Distinguished School
The journey continues. After five years of working to integrate technology into its curriculum, St. Viator High School now has again been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2017 -2019.
The Apple Distinguished School recognition is reserved for schools that meet criteria for innovation, leadership and educational excellence, and demonstrate a clear vision for exemplary learning environments.
"We are grateful to be named an Apple Distinguished School for the second time," says Principal Karen Love. "It affirms the good work our faculty and students do on a daily basis to transform teaching and learning through creative and innovative outlets.
"The formation of our students as digital citizens, learning transferable skills, will hopefully make the world a better place," she adds. "That is what a Viatorian education is all about."
This is the fifth year of the school's 1:1 iPad program. As a result, everyone in the building utilizes iPad and 98 percent of all textbooks are available on iPad.
Students use apps like iMovie to bring to life to what they have learned, Keynote to present main points of a novel, iStudiez Pro to organize and plan their schedules, to name just a few.
Overall, administrators believe the integration of iPad has proved highly successful with students and teachers alike, who continue to display a new excitement about learning.
Faculty members point to the advances made in their daily data collection as a result of iPad. Teachers can monitor student understanding through a variety of apps, including Examplify, Socrative, Kahoot! and Quizlet.
"These apps allow for quick results, so students and teachers can see strengths and weaknesses almost immediately, and whether students are mastering content and skills," says Maggie Miskowicz, instructional technology coordinator.
Saint Viator's commitment to technology permeates many aspects of the school's environment.
MacBook Airs are also used in the computer lab for coding and programming apps, as well as AP Computer Science Principles, while iMacs recently were added to the Academic Commons in order to provide students access to Apple technology during their free periods.
Even athletics has embraced technology. Real time communication apps compile stats and record game plays in baseball, basketball and football, while the lacrosse team uses a drone during practice and game footage to get a different perspective on plays as well as player strengths.
A rigorous education has been the hallmark of a Saint Viator education since its inception more than 50 years ago, but administrators continue to look into the future as they advance the school's innovative curriculum redesign, which leverages technology with academics.