Technology Integration

We believe that all students should have access to and knowledge of the use of technology as learners and contributing citizens of the 21st century. Brisas is a recognized leader in integrating technology across the curriculum. We were selected for the National School Board Association (NSBA) Technology Site Visit in 2008 and 2010; Brisas teachers are featured in a district video demonstrating technology use in the classroom. We are fortunate to have each classroom equipped with a desktop computer, document camera, Proxima projection system, and interactive SMART Board™, as well as 6-7 wireless laptops to use in centers or share with other classes. With two state-of-the-art computer labs and hundreds of laptops essentially creating classroom computer labs, all students and staff are ensured equitable access to and utilization of technology. Teachers embed technology in their instruction, giving students opportunities to learn in fun, engaging ways.

Students learn specific skills and applications to create multimedia products, presentations, and portfolios. They love interactive applications like Salt River Project’s e-journeys exploring wind, solar, and water energy. Brisas teachers create their own SMART Board™ lessons while grade level teams work together to build files of online resources on launch pages and/or web sites that are used by students and parents; the SMART Boards™ help our teachers deliver engaging activities and lessons created in SMART Notebook™, PowerPoint™, Word™, Excel™, Share©, Frames©, Pixie©, Kidspiration®, Inspiration®, and more. Our focus is always on curriculum instruction and learning in our classrooms using the technology tools as a support. Communication and collaboration tools such as blogs, discussion boards, self-peer assessments, and journals in Blackboard® are used to promote peer collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving. Higher level thinking skills are acquired through team investigation and analysis of video media and informational text, debate, and collaborative research projects. We anticipate new online assessments of the Common Core Standards; therefore, our 2nd-5th graders take their reading SIP assessments online to become more familiar with this assessment format.