“In times of change the learners will inherit the earth, while the knowers will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” – Eric Hoffer

Why integrating technology in the classroom?

In Centro Escolar Entrevalles we recognize the importance of educating our students in the ethical, responsible and effective use of new technologies. There is no doubt that mass communication means have considerably changed over the last years, and will continue to change with a speed that has never been seen before. We are aware that in order to stand out in any of the fields of social and professional life, it is necessary to educate people who can face a highly technological world.

Technology in the classroom   “The accelerated changes that the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) cause in society represent great challenges and also offer great opportunities to transform education.  They allow making the necessary changes to offer a quality up-to-date education, which through its appropriate use can generate enriched learning environments. The appropriate use of ICT’s can enrich at a low cost the learning environments in which Latin-American children and teenagers are educated. These enriched environments will allow much higher levels of learning and development of abilities than the ones of today. www.eduteka.org

Computer Science Class

The computer science class of today, in which students go to computer labs to learn the usage of office or design software packages, is disappearing; this is happening because of the technological breakthroughs that make easier acquiring personal computer equipment at home, at school and at work. The skills that were only developed by a small group of people are now requirements for all work and learning activities. It is no longer enough to be qualified users of technology; now, our students must become innovative professionals, who are able to use computers to improve everyone’s quality of life. The Association of teachers of Computer Sciences states: “It is not an exaggeration to say that our lives depend on computerized systems and on the people who manage them.” Also, Douglas Rushkoff in his book “To program or to be programmed” makes the following question: Do we manage technology or do we allow technology and the people who master it to manage us?

It is important to notice the difference between the traditional computer class and the new computer science subject. While the first focuses only in the mechanical use of the IT’s, the second one has the objective of understanding and analyzing them, and of creating solutions for real problems by using them. Our vision for the computer science class is to create a space where technology allows the stimulation of creativity, innovation and team work; where its use helps students become responsible digital citizens and future professional leaders.

Campus Entrevalles and the Virtual Community of the International Baccalaureate

This year our school has two new online spaces where teachers, students and parents are able to share resources and communicate through different media.

Within Campus Entrevalles all teachers will be able to administer online classes where students and parents will be able to check different educational resources such as the objectives and contents of each two-month period, the calendar of activities, reading resources, educational slideshows of the class, links, and other reference resources.  Campus Entrevalles is also a safe online communication resource, where all members of the educational community will be able to participate in forums, surveys and chat rooms, as well as to send personal messages.

The virtual community of the International Baccalaureate is a social network created by many of the schools that are members of the organization. This tool will be used to work in collaborative projects with other IB classrooms.