Technology
WHERE LEARNING IS THE
HEARTBEAT OF OUR CULTURE.
At Strathcona, we appreciate how important technology and online learning is for our students’ future. For girls to use technology in a supported and safe manner, we have designed the programs at Strathcona to ensure technology is deployed in an ‘age and stage’ appropriate manner.
Technology in the Junior School
At Strathcona, Junior School students embark on their technology journey with iPads, starting in Prep and Year 1. As they progress, students transition to school-owned laptops in Years 3 and 4 whilst also using their iPads. Students continue to use their laptops in Years 5 and 6. This 1:1 device program not only enhances their technological skills but also teaches them responsibility, as the laptops are restricted to school use and have limited software installation capabilities.
Students develop their technology skills through both classroom lessons and specialised sessions in the SPARK, where they delve into the Design and Digital Technologies curriculum. This structured approach ensures that as students advance, they are well-prepared for the increasingly complex STEAM program offered by the school.
Technology in the Middle Years
In the Middle Years our device program gives Strathcona students more responsibility while continuing to support students in developing strong digital skills and good cyber citizenship.
A set device has been chosen for these years to aid in this direct instruction; it includes a pen, which allows the school to help students use the device for notetaking, annotation and creativity. This device, the HP Elitebook X360, is purchased through a parent portal which includes 3 years of warranty and allows families to purchase accidental damage insurance if they wish.
As a family-owned device, Students are able to use it outside of school to extend their learning. They have opportunities to explore more advanced software and are explicitly taught how to manage their devices. Teachers set expectations for how and when devices are used in class, providing the foundation for self-regulation of technology use in later years.
Technology in the Senior Years
By Year 10, students are confident in their management and use of laptops at Strathcona. They have the knowledge on how to use a variety of software tools and need less direct instruction. In recognition of this, we have a restricted BYOD device program in Years 10-12. This means that students in these years may continue to use there laptop from Middle Years or purchase a new device from the Parent Portal.
The Tinker Train
We know that every student has the capacity to create and innovate. That is why we have embedded design thinking into our programs; this approach gives students a toolbox of techniques and thinking that they can use both in school and in the future workforce.
Design Thinking is used in a range of industries, from the arts to architecture. It describes the process used to explore and creatively solve a problem. At Strathcona Girls Grammar, we have adapted the design thinking process to suit students from Prep-Year 9; we have dubbed this Strathcona’s Tinker Train.
Understand
Identify
Ideate
Create
Share
Digital Pathways
Technology is shaping the way that we work and live in the future; we want to prepare our girls to help create that future. Students continue to undertake Digital Technology as a subject in Years 7-8. Students work on digital programming, robotics, students learn a variety of computer programming languages including Arduino, Python and JQuery. They apply these skills in a variety of projects including:
- Using code to create their own Minecraft mods
- Using robotics and automation to solve problems
- Designing and creating webpages and web apps
Students have the option to contiue Digital technology across Year, Year 10 and VCE.