The Digital Technologies is an interdisciplinary domain, focusing on providing students with the tools to transform their learning and to enrich their learning environment.
The knowledge, skills and behaviours identified in the Victorian Curriculum enable students to:
- develop new thinking and learning skills that produce creative and innovative insights.
- develop more productive ways of working and solving problems individually and collaboratively.
- create information products that demonstrate their understanding of concepts, issues, relationships and processes.
- express themselves in contemporary and socially relevant ways.
- communicate loyally and globally to solve problems and to share knowledge.
- understand the implications of the use of digital technologies and their social and ethical responsibilities as users of them.
At St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, students from Foundation to Year 4 participate in a dedicated 60-minute session of Digital Technologies (DigiTech) each week. In addition to this, iPads, MacBooks, and PCs are incorporated into daily learning and teaching in the classroom, across all curriculum areas and year levels.
In 2016, a 1:1 Chromebook program was introduced in the senior classes. The Chromebooks are part of a program aiming to promote personalised learning while keeping up with an ever-changing society. This learning tool is used to specifically engage students in rich educational learning opportunities and collaboration through the use of Google Apps.
St Thomas More is a dual platform school where our students are exposed to both PCs and Apple Mac operating systems. All learning and teaching areas have Apple TVs, creating interactive learning environments for students and teachers.
St Thomas More is an eSmart school where the smart, safe and responsible use of digital technologies is a cultural norm. Students, teachers and the wider school community are equipped to embrace the best these technologies can offer, while being savvy about the pitfalls. Students are regularly involved in developing and delivering information on the smart, safe and responsible use of technologies to a variety of audiences. A range of personal and social capabilities and skills are also taught. In eSmart schools, relationships are strong and supportive, and learning outcomes are enhanced. Bullying, and cyber-bullying are less likely to thrive (eSmart Schools).