Technology in the Classroom

St. Mark Catholic School strives to be on the leading edge of incorporating technology into the school day. It is the school's philosophy that effective use of technology in the classroom is vital to each child’s academic success. Through sustained teacher training and collaboration, our students are exposed to the latest and most beneficial technology applications available.

Over the years, student computer stations have been installed in each classroom, interactive Smartboard projector technology has been incorporated enabling teachers to access the Internet in real time, and the campus computer lab utilizes the most updated software and touchscreen computers available.

 
In recent years, every St. Mark classroom has been equipped with a set of 1:1 student iPads for group and individual work. iPads are used in the classroom to enhance (not teach) lessons and to foster students’ creativity and collaboration skills through the use of digital storytelling, Web 2.0 tools, animation, academic games, student response systems, Skype, and podcasts, just to name a few. They are used to extend lessons that are, in part, taught using traditional textbooks.

Middle school students utilize Chromebook laptops.

In the fall of 2017, St. Mark became home to the only SmartLab facility in the DFW area where students are challenged to extend classrooms lessons using hands-on, cutting-edge technology. Click here for more information.

In 2019, Virtual/Augmented Reality was added to the technology line-up. Through the use of special computerized goggles, students are able to visit new places and interact with the world around them without ever leaving the classroom. This powerful educational tool takes learning to the next level.

Preschool through 2nd grade students are introduced to basic coding. The ability to code has been proven to have a direct correlation to increased logical thinking and the earlier it is introduced, the more students can benefit. Through the use of manipulatives, younger students learn to put items in order in a way that results in a desired outcome. By the time they reach second grade, students are utilizing programs such as Lego Boost to expand their abilities. As they continue to develop these skills, their logical thinking skills simultaneously increase, impacting their overall ability to problem-solve. More advanced instruction in coding is continued throughout the elementary and middle school years.

In 2020, an autonomous cleaning robot was donated to the school by Get Clean Services LLC allowing St. Mark an opportunity to use it for maintenance, and also as an educational tool. The robot uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to clean and sanitize the school floors "hands free"  without human interaction, freeing the maintenance staff to concentrate on other important tasks. It also helps to expose students to AI technology firsthand. The competitive Robotics team will learn how to program the robot, and students may enjoy an appearance at a school assembly where it performs a pre-programmed dance routine. St. Mark is the first K-12 school in the U.S. to utilize this technology (placing it in the company of Walmart and other major retailers), and will serve as a case study where Get Clean Services will report on the robot's performance in a school setting and the ways it is utilized for educational purposes. 
 

St. Mark also sets the tone for good digital citizenship and respectful use of devices in the classroom. Faithful to our mission as Catholic educators, we teach digital safety as a vital life skill. In the classroom setting, teachers also follow “best practices,” such as keeping devices facing out.

Today’s students are digital natives and have never known a time without computers, Internet, cell phones, and other mobile devices. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates that by 2026, computer and information technology occupations in the United States will grow by 13%, which is faster than the average for all occupations in the United States. The National Science Foundation estimates that computer science will outpace other science and engineering professions combined.

Realizing the need to prepare students to navigate a very different world, St. Mark is committed to helping students learn what they will need to be successful in the 21st century.

In 2016, St. Mark Catholic School became one of only a few schools in the State of Texas to be recognized as a Common Sense Digital Citizenship Certified School by Common Sense Media. To earn this distinction, St. Mark implemented a detailed program provided by Common Sense Media and achieved various benchmarks to meet the certification criteria. The purpose of this program is to equip students with the skills they need to be responsible online citizens. St. Mark has committed to teach our students to navigate the behavioral and social issues that stem from students' online lives. For more information, visit www.commonsense.org. 

 In 2018, St. Mark Catholic School was named one of three nationwide finalists in the Today’s Catholic Teacher “Innovations in Catholic Education" (ICE) Awards in the category of "An Innovative Project Facilitated by Technology" for the integration of the SmartLab into the curriculum. St. Mark received special recognition at the ICE Awards event at the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. Contestants included elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools across the country.