Instructional Technology

Mission Statement

The Instructional Technology Department supports Harmony's vision by providing technology to enhance the learning environment and stimulate the educational experience. We will support student readiness for tomorrow’s world by providing innovative resources and exceptional support while focused on student and staff engagement.

IT AT HARMONY

Blended Learning

Harmony has created a 1-1 technology environment where every student has access to a digital device (Chromebook, tablet, laptop, etc.) for anytime anywhere learning. Students use these tech devices for at least 2-3 hours a day for blended learning and project based learning activities. In blended learning environments, students use adaptive learning technologies to enhance their math and reading skills. These programs built on artificial intelligence and adaptive algorithms cater the level and the difficulty of the lessons and learning objectives to the unique profile of each student, which allows them to progress at their own accelerated pace. Teachers leverage the power of technology to create flexible student groups and provide either remediation or enrichment in small groups when needed.

Harmony students and teachers are avid users of the World Wide Web and the social media. Students use their tech devices to curate digital learning artifacts when they work on projects in other core subject areas and STEM courses. The Share-and-Shine approach allows students and teachers to collaboratively create multimedia products using technology and publish their work online.

Harmony students and teachers are avid users of the World Wide Web and the social media. Students use their tech devices to curate digital learning artifacts when they work on projects in other core subject areas and STEM courses. The Share-and-Shine approach allows students and teachers to collaboratively create multimedia products using technology and publish their work online.

In addition to the learning technologies described above, all Harmony classrooms are equipped with projectors and document cameras, so that teachers can take advantage of visual learning and teaching approaches in the classroom. Furthermore, many classrooms are also equipped with Smart Board technologies to create more interactive classrooms.

Harmony provides both onboarding and ongoing professional development and training opportunities for teachers to make sure all teachers are adequately capable of using available tech tools and helping our students leverage the power of technology to elevate learning across all classrooms. The professional development at Harmony is also customized to the varying needs and proficiency levels of our teachers.

Chromebooks

A Chromebook is a laptop of a different breed. Instead of Windows 10 or Mac OS X, Chromebooks run Google's Chrome Operative System. These machines are designed to be used primarily while connected to the Internet, with most applications and documents living in the cloud. Harmony Public Schools provided every student in grades 6 thru 12 with a Chromebook device. ​With 1:1 in-school model, we believe that students will experience a more focused and guided technology use in the classrooms and teachers will be able to facilitate technology integrated student learning in a more powerful and meaningful way. Chromebooks are used primarily for Custom Day classes (plus 5 Math & ELA lab hours) where students work on their personalized learning plans via adaptive instructional software and in other core classes during project based learning (PBL) activities.

Google Apps for Education

In Harmony Public Schools, we use Google apps which is the same set of apps that you know such as Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Hangouts, and more— but designed with new intelligent features that make work easier and bring teachers and students together. Because we believe that when students and teachers break down silos and have collaborative tools for their classroom, amazing learning can happen. Also the G-Suite includes great tools such as Google Classroom. With this app teachers have control for class, create classes, distribute assignments, send feedback, and see everything in one place. Instant. Paperless.

For more information about Google for education click here

Students

A “Future Ready Education” would not be complete without adequate digital resources. A long list of student links is available at the Student Start Page.

An overview of all the Educational Software and digital resources that Harmony provides our students. Learn how to access at home, or away from school using the HPS Clever Portal.