February 1, 2011 --  San Domenico School continues its adoption of technology integrated into the classroom by announcing a “1-to-1” student Macbook program in its High School, a 1-to-1 iPad implementation in its middle school, and an iPad pilot project in its 5th grade classrooms. San Domenico School becomes the first middle school in Marin County to adopt a 1-to-1 iPad program.

 

Dedicated to being California’s leading independent school, serving pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade students of all faiths, San Domenico is committed to excellence in education, preparing the next generation of global leaders in the Dominican tradition of Veritas (truth).

 

“We are a school where the integration of mind, body, and spirit is at the core of everything we do,” explained Dr. David G. Behrs, Head of Schools. “We are very deliberately and purposefully integrating iPads and Macbooks into our impressive curriculum to deepen teaching and student learning.”

 

 

Earlier this year, San Domenico School unveiled iPads in the classroom. Thanks to an anonymous and generous 3-year parent gift, San Domenico launched a pilot project to study and implement a 1-1technology program in its middle school. In August 2011, San Domenico School will become the first middle school in Marin County to issue iPads to each of its 150 students.

 

A year-long series of academic units across subject areas has utilized both iPads and MacBooks in the middle school program. “We quickly experienced more engagement with material when the iPad was used in place of a Macbook in these grades,” notes Sokolov. “The iPads enter the classroom so quickly and easily that the teacher can really focus on enhancing instruction using the device rather than on the mechanics of using the device.”

 

The faculty and administration, in partnership with the parent donor, recently decided to accelerate the middle school’s implementation of iPads. Middle school division head Cecily Stock explains, “Over the course of this past semester, we have become increasingly confident that the iPad is our technology tool of choice. Our faculty have embraced teaching and learning using digital tools at a pace we could not have anticipated.” Deploying a full 1-to-1 set of iPads in the new academic year allows professional development and curriculum development to proceed effectively across all three grade levels.

 

 

San Domenico School’s independent high school enrolls 125 girls from the Bay Area and around the world. A 1-to-1 Macbook program was initiated several years ago as part of each incoming freshman year program. In 2010-11, the program expanded to 9-10 grades. In the fall of 2011, each high school student will be issued an Apple Macbook.

 

“We have experienced the benefits of ubiquitous access to technology in the freshman and sophomore classrooms,” said Michael Sloan, high school mathematics teacher and technology instructor. “Our faculty are thrilled to know they can plan their curricula for all grade levels to take advantage of these important tools.”

 

“Universal access becomes central,” explained Christopher K. Sokolov, San Domenico School’s director of technology. “We have students coming to our campus from all over Marin and the world. By integrating the Macbook throughout our high school curriculum, each teacher can be assured that his or her students will be able to engage the material and not be frustrated with disparate technology. We believe the Macbook gives high school-age students the complement of content creation tools that best suit their curriculum.”

 

 

In San Domenico’s primary school, technology is a component of the curriculum from the earliest grades. “Our methodology places emphasis on active learning and process based projects,” explained Carole Chase, primary school division head. “Our technology coordinator works with every grade level teaching team to ensure that our children have the technology skills they need to succeed in our balanced program.”

 

Each grade level has a number of computers available in the classroom. San Domenico School recently moved to expand its successful pilot of iPads into the 5th grade with the addition of a “cart” of iPads dedicated to in-classroom instruction in the 5th grade for 2011-12.

 

“At San Domenico, we strive to seamlessly integrate technology into the overall curricular experience,” says Sokolov. “We seek to provide 21st century learning strategies and skills so that our students will be prepared to face whatever technology faces them throughout their

lives.”

 

To do this, San Domenico School seeks to match and exceed nationally recognized standards for students and teachers in technology by utilizing learning outcomes for both teachers and students. These tools allow for more integrated classroom technology that empowers students in their learning unobtrusively but powerfully.

 

In addition to the three-year grant supporting an accelerated adoption of technology in the middle school, modest technology fees in grades 5-12 will support these innovative programs.
 

August 24, 2010 -- Classes began at San Domenico School on Monday, August 23, with a renewed sense of excitement and commitment to excellent teaching and learning.  This year's new school year is particularly memorable for the high school class of 2013 as they are given new digital tools: Macbooks assigned to each sophomore.

 

"At San Domenico, we believe that technology is a tool that complements learning," explained Dr. David Behrs, San Domenico’s Head of Schools.  "I strongly believe that each student should have equal access to a tool that is so essential to today's high school student."  San Domenico first piloted a 1-1 laptop program as part of the freshman year experience. This year marks the expansion of the school's integrated technology program into the second year of high school.

 

"Teachers expect a student to walk into the classroom with a notepad and a pen," elaborated Dean Partlow, Division Head of the San Domenico High School.  "By utilizing a 1-1 laptop program, our faculty are confident that they can incorporate thoughtful use of computer technology into any class setting with a minimum of challenge and frustration."

 

San Domenico intends to expand its 1-1 laptop program for all of its high school students in the fall of 2011.  Additionally, faculty studies are considering appropriate expansion of integrated technology programs into its coeducational Middle School and Primary School programs.

 

An additional upgrade in technology access this year is the new use of student e-mail and web application access for all high school students. Powered by Google Apps for Education, a suite of web applications designed for use in educational institutions, San Domenico's new student e-mail experience will allow for greater communication and collaboration between faculty and students and between the students. "The ease with which our students approach the familiar 'gmail' interface allows communication to be central to the student experience," according to Christopher Sokolov, Director of Technology.  "In addition to the email application, the 'docs' feature of this suite will allow us to continue in the direction of being less reliant on printouts and paper consumption in keeping with our school's long standing commitment to sustainability," he pointed out.

 

Founded in 1850, San Domenico is the oldest independent school in California. Situated on 512 pristine acres in Marin County, the School is sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael. San Domenico is dedicated to providing values-based education for students of all faiths and cultural backgrounds worldwide. With more than 500 students in grades Pre-K through grade 12, San Domenico offers a co-educational day school program through 8th grade, and a girls' day and boarding school for grades 9 through 12.