Technology
Technology equips students, teachers, and parents with valuable learning tools. In light of this reality, NRCA began a 1:1 iPad program in the fall of 2014. Along with interactive display systems and Apple TVs, iPads are integrated into daily instruction in all divisions.
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Since the 1:1 iPad program’s launch, students and teachers have used their iPads to become content creators in addition to content consumers. At NRCA, we work to offer students the most up-to-date and advanced learning tools available. iPad integration into classroom instruction unlocks a repertoire of instructional modes available only with technology integration.
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Ninety percent of our classroom teachers have earned Apple Teacher certification.
Overview
Since technology is foundational to learning at NRCA, our Technology Help Center is available to help on those rare occasions when a problem arises. Current NRCA students and parents can access the Technology Help Center in the NRCA Family Portal. The center contains links for submitting help tickets, as well as valuable information, including FAQs and tutorials on our student information system (PowerSchool), learning management system (Schoology), Office 365, iPads, and other miscellaneous topics.
PowerSchool is our student information system. It allows parents to check their student’s grades and attendance anytime. Occasionally, NRCA uses PowerSchool for event registration and sending out important school forms. In August, new families receive a letter with information about logging into PowerSchool. Current NRCA families can access PowerSchool FAQs on the Technology Help Center page in the NRCA Family Portal.
Schoology is our learning management system. Schoology allows teachers and students to create, manage, and share academic content. Parents can link to a student’s Schoology account to view their student’s activity on the platform. In August, new families receive a letter with instructions for linking to their student’s Schoology account. Current NRCA families can access Schoology FAQs on the Technology Help Center page in the NRCA Family Portal.
PreK
Interactive Display Systems
Interactive display systems allow a hands-on, whole-class approach to learning.
iPads
In PreK, students have access to a cart of iPads. Since iPads are shared devices at this level, students do not need an Apple ID. Teachers request apps that best fit the students' needs and curriculum. Apps are approved by the lower elementary principal. Once approved, the app is pushed out to the iPads on the cart by a technology staff member. Students in PreK use their iPads for letter tracing, color and number recognition, and more.
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Lower Elementary (K-3)
Interactive Display Systems
Interactive display systems allow a hands-on, whole-class approach to learning.
iPads
Kindergarten through third-grade students have access to an iPad cart that stays in the classroom. Each cart contains 22-23 iPads. Since iPads are shared devices at this level, students do not need an Apple ID. Teachers request apps that will best fit the needs of each grade level and curriculum, and then those apps are reviewed by the lower elementary principal. Once an app is approved, it will be pushed out to the carts remotely by a technology staff member. Students in kindergarten through third grade use the iPad for math, reading, cursive writing, composing stories, creating iBooks, coding, and much more.
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Upper Elementary (4-5)
Interactive Display Systems
Interactive display systems allow a hands-on, whole-class approach to learning.
iPads
Students in fourth and fifth grade have an iPad assigned to them. Each morning in homeroom, students pick up their 1:1 iPads and carry them throughout the day. Students return to homeroom at the end of each school day and place their iPads into the charging stations until the next morning. Teachers request apps that fit the needs of their classrooms, and those apps are approved by the upper elementary principal. Students need their own Apple ID. Parents of students under 13 need to follow the procedure outlined by Apple to obtain an Apple ID for their children. (Click here for more information.) Students are not allowed to download apps to their iPad without permission from their teacher. Fourth and fifth graders use their 1:1 iPad for writing, state identification, math facts, iMovies, coding, and more.
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Middle & High School
Interactive Display Systems
Middle and high school classrooms are equipped with large-screen displays and Apple TVs to allow full integration of individual iPads into whole-class learning activities.
iPads
Students in grades 6-12 are issued an iPad for use on and off campus. Students are responsible for ensuring that their iPad is charged and ready to use each school day. Teachers request administrative approval for apps the class will use as a whole. Since the devices are for individual student use, students will need their own Apple ID. (Parents of students under 13, click here for more information.)
Students in grades 6-8 have a list of approved apps for middle school use. Any other app will disappear from their iPad if downloaded.
Students in grades 9-12 are allowed to download apps that best fit their learning style as long as these applications do not appear on the list of restricted apps. For more information about restricted applications, please see the Applications section below.
Middle and high school students use their iPads for creating iBooks, writing papers, accessing digital textbooks, taking notes, completing assignments, reviewing supplemental resources, turning in work, etc.
All NRCA-issued iPads come with the following applications:
Apple suite of apps (Pages, Keynote, Numbers, GarageBand, & iMovie)
Microsoft Office suite of Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, & Outlook)
Students have the ability to download Office 365 applications on a home computer with their NRCA Microsoft account.
Additional apps vary by grade and division levels and foster learning, creativity, productivity, and communication. Current NRCA families can view a detailed list of approved apps in the Family Portal on the NRCA Technology Help Center page.
No app rated 17+ or higher can be installed on school-issued iPads. Additionally, no VPN-related applications are allowed to be installed on school-issued iPads.
NRCA maintains a list of restricted apps that do not align with our community standards. The premise for most of the apps on the list is that photos or information can be posted anonymously and/or "self-destructs." Other apps on the list contain inappropriate content. There are millions of apps available on the App Store, and the ones on the restricted list are a few that NRCA is aware of that do not promote Christlike digital citizenship. If students have these apps on their devices, they will be asked to remove them. Disciplinary action may result if the same app must be removed multiple times.
The full list is available on the NRCA Technology Help Center page in the NRCA Family Portal and will be updated regularly. Students in grades 4-12 receive instruction on approved and restricted apps during iPad deployment. All students receive ongoing training and coaching in Christlike digital citizenship.
Beginning in kindergarten, NRCA students learn how to use technology in the classroom and beyond. From simple keyboarding and coding lessons to robotics to Advanced Placement Computer Science, NRCA offers extensive enrichment and elective courses.
Elementary Enrichment Classes
Elementary students cover Word, Excel (emphasis on data extraction and graphs), and PowerPoint in their computer classes at various times of the year for different grade levels. Lower elementary students focus on using the local computers, and upper elementary students learn about OneDrive and cloud access. Elementary computer enrichment classes also cover file management, STEM, and keyboarding.
Middle School Electives
Regular classroom use of technology is supplemented by elective courses that students choose to dig deeper into topics of interest.
View the list of middle school technology electives and read about the content of each.
Middle School Insider’s Guide
High School Electives
In high school, students can choose elective options that strengthen their general technology foundation and further equip those who wish to pursue STEM-related college majors and careers.
View the list of high school technology electives and read about the content of each.
Beyond the regular classrooms, NRCA has outfitted labs and purchased advanced technology for student use. Technology spaces and equipment include, but are not limited to, the following:
4 Windows PC Labs
2 Mac Labs
2 Computer Labs with access to the Adobe Creative Suite
3 – 3D Printers
3 – Electronic Cutters
1 – 3D Laser Printer
Robotics Lab for FIRST ® Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) projects
Photo Studio (with advanced photography and printing equipment)
Video/Broadcast/Film Production Studio (with cameras, greenscreen wall, and Final Cut Pro X editing software)
Yearbook Photography & Design Mini Lab