The Study is proud of its innovative use of technology to enhance learning and critical thinking, both inside and outside of the classroom. Technology is woven through the curriculum at all grade levels, from Kindergarten to grade 11. In grades 6 – 11, every student has a wireless laptop Mac computer and in Kindergarten – grade 5, every student has an iPad.

The goals of the technology programme, in conjunction with the academic programme, are to:

• • Stimulate students’ intellectual curiosity by providing them with opportunities to enhance traditional learning through innovative tools

• • Provide all students with learning tools that will enhance their learning

• • Support higher order thinking skills and critical thinking skills

• • Provide a global experience to the students via virtual classroom experiences and a plethora of research opportunities
  • Inspire and provide students with the resources to innovate

 

In the Senior School and in the Elementary School, technology is fully integrated into the curriculum. Technology is used in research and study groups, for assignments, explorations, simulations, tutorials, Internet access and a myriad of networked applications.

Students in both the Elementary and Senior School have access to the latest software, interactive boards in each classroom, various audio visual equipment, a wide screen printer, a photography studio, a video IP conferencing unit and state of the art technology in the classroom.

Our learning management system (Haiku) also allows parents to access their daughter’s work and her development. In conjunction with our “green” initiatives, technology is used as a tool for communication with parents.

Redesigning the Classroom Experience

Never one to rest on our laurels, we launch new initiatives each year. One such initiative has been to redesign our classroom spaces for the global 21^st Century learner. These spaces incorporate state of the art technology. The rooms have also been painted with a special paint that is transforming the learning environment.

Classrooms in The Study’s Elementary School and Senior School now have walls and desktops that are covered in writable surfaces. The whole classroom has been transformed into a 360 degree-learning environment. It’s all about student engagement.

IdeaPaint maximizes the space students need to collaborate, interact and discover new ways of learning and it encourages student participation. “The girls become so excited about their lessons, truly focused learners,” adds grade 5 teacher, Ms. Jacobsen.

It is not only local learning environments like The Study that have embraced IdeaPaint but learning environments with a global reputation of being at the forefront of innovation. The Massachusetts  Institute of Technology (MIT) is also a user of the latest in 360 degree learning environments.

Programming

Starting in the 2013-2014 academic year, The Study shifted to teaching students to code at all grade levels.

Kindergarten: Creating Scribbling Machines, Coding through games, Learning about algorithms, Introduction to robots with Dash and Dot

Grade 1: Making electronic devices using LittleBits circuits 

Grade 2: Programming games using Hopscotch

Grades 3 & 4: Coding games and interactive narratives in Scratch

Grades 5: Using code to create art.

Grade 6: Programming with the micro:bit

Grade 7: Building circuits with the micro processor Arduino and programming it using a simplified version of C++.

Grade 8: This year, students will explore coding and building with the Robot in a Can kit; a robot that they will customize and program.

Grade 9 Engineering Option: This year, students in the Engineering class will explore Artificial Intelligence, Python, and Machine Learning.

Grade 10 & 11 Integrated Technology Management  Option: Students in the ITM class explore product design. Machines used include but are not limited to: Cricut, LaserCutter, 3D Printers, CNC Mill and a FormBox to make moulds.

 

The 2018-2019 Engineering class, designed and build electric cars.

 

Global Outreach

Last year, our global outreach initiatives included watching a live knee replacement surgery conducted by Dr. Chambers at Mount Carmel Hospital, participating in a holiday card exchange program with six different schools from around the world (Belarus, Taiwan, Moldova and Russia), as well as participating in an online video conference entitled Resistance Art: Art Live from the Middle East, where students had the opportunity to explore how visual arts have been used as a means of witnessing conflict.

The Innovation Lab

The Innovation Lab is a place where students can drop in and work on personal projects ranging from circuitry, robotics, soldering and e-textiles to name a few. Work done in the Innovation Lab is fuelled by personal interest and growth. Some of the projects students have worked on include building a radio, building a talking robotics head, cooking up some squishy circuits, playing with the mind controlled helicopter, as well as building and electrically wiring a doll house.

 

Makerspace

Inspired by the success of The Innovation Lab, The Study started the 2014-2015 academic year by unveiling a Makerspace; the first of its kind in a Quebec school. The Makerspace features 3d printers, a 3d scanner, a CNC Mill, Arduinos, Raspberry Pis, Makey Makeys, as well as materials for e-textiles. Our Epilog Laser Cutter allows students to cut and engrave in wood, steel or glass to name a few. In essence, it’s a 21st century machine shop. Various saws, metal presses and tools also aid in building projects. The space features writable walls, projection on the floor, fiberoptic star field lights in the ceiling, robotics tables embedded in walls and moveable furniture so that the space can be best used to fit the needs of a class.

The Makerspace is the home for all tech and robotic classes in both the Elementary and Senior Schools.

Last year, we added an additional room to our MakerSpace; one that facilitates the building process.

Along with an Oculus Rift, we have also added a classroom set of virtual reality glasses, a Nikon KeyMission 360 camera and unity 3d software so that students can not only immerse themselves in educational virtual reality worlds but also create the content for these devices.

 

New Technology for the 2019-2020 Year

Expanding the Builder’s Room
This year, we have expanded the builder’s room and have included new machines: a FormBox mould maker, a Form 3 (3D Printer), a Cricut vinyl cutter and a miter saw along with various drills and tools.

Nutritowers
We have installed two hydroponic systems (one in kindergarten and one in the grade 6 elementary science class) so that students can grow their own vegetables.

Idea Room
Grade 3 has a new “idea room”: a room painted on all sides with chalkboard paint so that students can collaborate and share ideas as they explore group work.

Performance Hall
Our performance hall has had a number of upgrades: a new audio board that will allow for multitrack recording, a live production switcher to be used for multi camera video productions and new venue uplighting.

Swivl
The swivl will record a class or presentation and allow a teacher to easily upload the recording to our learning management system.

 

Inspiration Week

This year, all the grades in the elementary school will be participating in a new Study initiative: an Inspiration Week. At the beginning of the week, each grade will be given a topic to explore (which was chosen by their teachers). Experts in the topics will be brought in as the class explores possible solutions. A celebration of learning will be held at the end of that week. Topics that are being considered include: creating something that could be used in a refuge camp, how can we remove the plastic pollution from our oceans and what is an invention that could improve the quality of your life.

 

CLUBS

Robotics

Grades 2-11 : Lunch clubs as well as competitive robotics’ teams – First Lego League/RoboCup.

Teachers Maker Club: For the first time ever, teachers have their own lunchtime club to explore the tools in the MakerSpace. The first project on the docket is to build a hovercraft.