Technology

The Pine School is a 21st century school and keeps pace (and leads!) with advancements in technology, effect changes in the curriculum and the manner in which the curriculum is delivered - while also effectively managing information and communication both internally and externally.

To live and work successfully in our global society, Pine School students will require different knowledge, skills, and attitudes than previous generations.

We believe that technology available today for educational use offers unique opportunities to enhance instruction and learning - empowering students to be more proactive in the acquisition of knowledge.

The Pine School uses technology to enhance its 21st century curriculum and student learning through our laptop program, smart classroom initiatives, wireless environments and use of state-of-the-art tools to enrich the learning process. We use FACTS as our Student Information System and Online Portal and Google Workspace for Education as our communications, office suite and LMS (Learning Management System). All of our systems are platform-independent and are accessed through a web browser or tablet device.

FACTS

FACTS is our school management system that provides an online portal for parent and student information. Resource documents, report cards, grades, lesson plans and homework are all found on FACTS Family Portal. First-time users of FACTS should set up their accounts by going to our dedicated FACTS Family Portal page on the website.

Google Workspace for Education

The Pine School has established a partnership with Google, which provides centralized cloud-based access to email, documents, shared calendars, collaboration tools and much more.

Laptops/Devices

As part of The Pine School’s 21st-century educational program, students in Grades 9-12 are required to have devices that support our curriculum. The Pine School allows students to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). Recommended devices, details and information can be found in the Technology Device Options and Registration document.

Our 5-8 Grades participate in an iPad and Laptop one-to-one program. This continues The Pine School’s working relationship with Apple Education utilizing the latest in apps, e-books, & educational solutions to help students learn in new and exciting ways.

 

Computer Labs and iPads

Throughout the School, digital and analog tools blend seamlessly, preparing students to be adept at both. It is common to see a class during which half of the students are researching on Laptops or iPads while the other half reads books. In the classroom, Laptops and iPads extend what is possible, whether students are researching explorers, narrating their own movie, illustrating how to solve a math problem, or photographing objects for a “science experiment.”

Starting in Kindergarten, all Lower School students have access to iPads, and all Middle and Upper School students have iPads or Laptop devices which gives students a variety of tools for completing research and assignments. Some subject areas have special labs, such as our science lab, which allows students to project life-size images from microscopes. Additionally, a High Tech Art lab provides opportunities for creative students to become familiar with professional software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom.

Makerspaces

During STEM courses students are given time to work in these dynamic spaces, where they can use their hands and minds to make, conceive, design, and create while applying a myriad of concepts such as science, technology, engineering, art, math, communication, and teamwork. This encourages students to integrate thought processes that cross over numerous disciplines. The Pine School makerspaces have age-appropriate technology, including iPad apps, OSMOs, Makey Makeys, LEGO Robots and 3D printers.

STEM and Coding

In K-4, students are introduced to coding through applications such as Minecraft EDU, Scratch Jr., Lightbot, and Bee-Bot. Their experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEM) builds throughout the Lower and Middle School as they advance to higher levels and tackle additional projects. In the Upper School, Students can opt to take Intro to Computer Science to learn web application development (HTML, CSS, PHP, Bootstrap, Javascript) and other responsive design. Squishy Circuits, littleBits, and Makey Makeys make creative engineering projects fun, and the 3D printers in each division enable students to design and print 3D projects.

Hour of Code is the largest educational initiative in the world. The purpose is to introduce coding to students, and The Pine School has participated since 2013. Hour Of Code teaches students how to think like a computer, how to use programming to control robots using Javascript and Block based coding, and a myriad of other computer science introductory skills.

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

In Grades 5-12, students are introduced to Augmented and Virtual Reality through applications such as Oculus Rift, Google Expeditions, and other VR/AR applications. Experiences in Science, Virtual and Augmented Reality give students the opportunity to interact in a simulated environment. Unlike traditional user interfaces, VR places students inside an experience. Instead of viewing a screen in front of them, users are immersed and able to interact with 3D worlds.

Digital Citizenship

Digital media and technology are evolving at a dizzying pace, both unlocking extraordinary opportunities and posing real risks for young people. Students are using the immense power of the Internet and mobile technology to explore, connect, create, and learn in ways never before imagined, both in and out of the classroom. However, issues that emerge from this 24/7 "connected culture" are surfacing both in schools and at home

The Pine School believes that digital-literacy and citizenship skills have become essential for students in the 21st century, especially in schools like ours that are using technology to transform learning. That's why we are committed to teaching our students how to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly. In addition to helping students become adept at using technology for information gathering and problem-solving, our teachers aim to instill an understanding of what it means to be a good digital citizen. Today, one of the many facets of building character is helping students understand how to be safe, honest, and kind online and when using digital technology.