Technology and Makerspace

Visitation Academy strives to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies to enhance learning in all curriculum areas! 
  
Students learn computer skills including Keyboarding, Word Processing, Preparing Slide Presentations, Video Production, Working with Spreadsheets, Website Design, Internet Research, and Programming/Coding. They use G-Suite (Google Apps for Education). Class projects incorporate the use of 21st Century technology skills of: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity. 

• iPads are used in all grades with most concentration in the Pre-School through 2nd Grade classrooms. Students in these classes have many hands-on opportunities to use educational apps to further enhance their learning. 
    
• Chromebooks are used by all students in Grades 3-8 in their classrooms. These students  utilize  G Suite for Education , which enables the students and faculty to work more collaboratively on projects and also enable students to access their work in school and at home.

• The IXL web-based program for Language Arts and Math is used by students in Grades 6-8 for both in school and at-home for skill building throughout the year.

• The ClassWorks web-based program is used by students in Grades 2-8 for skill building and to prepare for MAP Growth Testing held in the fall, winter and spring.

• SmartBoards, and Promethean ActivPanels are used in the PreSchool through Grade 8 areas for more interactive lessons.  

Students will use the Makerspace to complete STEM challenges in small groups. 

What is a Makerspace? 
A  Makerspace  provides hands-on, creative ways to encourage students to design, experiment, build and invent as they deeply engage in science, engineering and tinkering.  The Makerspace will be part of the students' subject curriculum and contains a variety of materials such as: hand tools, sewing machines, cardboard, tape, craft sticks, Legos, Kinects, etc. There will be many technologies used: iPads, Chromebooks, 3D Printer with Tinkercad, Dash and Dot Robots, Sphero Minis, Ozobots, Lego Kits, Cubelets, Makey Makey, Snap Circuits, Arduino, and Squishy Circuits. By working in our Makerspace our students' creativity, hands-on, and critical thinking skills will shine! All students are expected to use the space in a safe, careful and respectful manner.  Makerspace Procedures and Expectations .