Educational Technology

At Coburg High School, we believe that digital technology serves an important role in education in terms of enabling deeper and richer learning experiences. We have been an Apple Distinguished School for our effective and innovative use of technology, and we make a conscious effort to incorporate our academic curriculum with the tools and technologies that students are familiar with.

At our school, students use their MacBooks and a range of educational and professional software for a range of purposes, including to:

  • Make notes and records; organise information for later access and use.
  • Search for information; learn important research skills.
  • Create multimedia and produce movies, music, podcasts and digital art.
  • Write and edit material in a range of genres, sequence a digital story.
  • Index and arrange a database; extract, graph and apply data.
  • Set goals and monitor progress towards goals.
  • Make calculations, carry out virtual experiments and examine phenomena.
  • Write code and develop apps and software of their own.
  • Discuss topics in forums, moderate discussions or debates, hold webinars and video conferences.
  • Develop public speaking skills; create compelling presentations.
  • Generate hypotheses, undertake inquiries and research, and conduct online surveys.
  • Build and maintain a positive online presence and identity.

An Apple School

We are proud to be an Apple school because it enables us to use powerful, reliable, intuitive and easy-to-use hardware and software as a key component of our learning program. The MacBooks are simple to set up and use, contain powerful built-in apps, and perform reliably for significantly longer on average than a typical PC. They offer various accessibility options for students who may require visual, auditory or motor accomodations, and they don’t need anti-virus software. Support for Apple products is just as good — there are multiple Apple Store locations in Melbourne that offer free advice and support alongside in- and out-of-warranty repair services and the AppleCare helpline. There are also a number of Apple Authorised Service Providers in Melbourne that offer similar services.

Simply put: Apple notebooks remain one of the best tools to deliver cutting-edge, innovative learning experiences in our classrooms. Many of the Apple-only applications we use, such as iMovie, GarageBand and Keynote, are used because there is simply no equivalent elsewhere. The Mac also allows all the standard software you would expect, such as Microsoft Office 365, the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and Google apps such as Google Docs and Google Drive. At Coburg High School, we have thoughtfully selected the software we use in order to maximise student outcomes, and we continue to adapt and reassess our digital approach in line with the latest research, developments and student/parent feedback.

Students are responsible for protecting their electronic property. This includes storing them in a locker when not using them, and marking computers/chargers with identifiers. We recommend that everyone has Apple Care enabled for their MacBook and independent insurance.

All students and families are expected to read and sign the CHS ICT Acceptable Use Agreement for Internet and BYOD Program upon enrolment.

The school encourages students to spend recess and lunchtime outdoors and off of their computers. Sometimes however we have screen-permissible days, and this includes when there is a wet weather timetable.

The students’ computers are their own, and as such they are free to have downloaded content on them. They cannot however use the school’s wi-fi to download excessive content, nor can they play games/watch videos etc that are inappropriate.

Compass

Compass is our school-wide administration and learning system which allows us to do things such as track attendance, create and share class timetables, and set and assess student assignments. Students can upload their work, ask questions, provide feedback and review their assessments. Parents can monitor their child’s learning, assessment, timetable and attendance. They can also access school communications, make payments for various school activities, and update their contact details.

 

The benefits of using Compass include:

  • improved accuracy and efficiency of school operations, replacing manual processes and combining most school management and administration functions within one easy to use system.

  • enabling parents to engage with their child’s learning and attendance and provide support where needed

  • online order and payment functionality that streamline activities for both schools and parents

  • improving delivery of school communications which help build an informed and inclusive school community.

 

More information about Compass can be found on their website: https://www.compass.education. Information about how Compass handles personal information can be found in their privacy policy: https://sites.google.com/a/jdlf.com.au/policies/privacy  

 

Compass collates a range of information, including that which is personal, sensitive and health related, and we ensure that information is handled in accordance with the school’s policies including: Schools’ Privacy Policy, Cybersafety and Responsible Use of Digital Technologies and Digital Learning in Schools. We manage your child’s information including how it is stored and how long it is kept, in accordance with the Department’s Records Management Policy for schools. 

We will help your child to use Compass safely by providing them with technical or any other assistance they require. You can also assist by having conversations with your child about eSafety and by ensuring that your child is comfortable raising any issues with you and their teacher. We recommend that parents monitor their child when learning from home and contact the school if they have any concerns relating to the use of Compass. Should you have any questions about our school’s ICT programs and practices, please contact info@coburg.vic.edu.au

COGS

Our online curriculum, COGS, which stands for Coburg Online Google Sites, is designed to provide students with access to all unit sequences for each subject they study from Year 7 to 12. Each unit will link to a series oF lessons which embed our instructional model, GANAG, into each lesson. COGS has been created by teachers at CHS and provides students with access to a guaranteed and viable curriculum aligned to the Victorian Curriculum achievement standards and relevant VCAA study designs in an intuitive and interactive interface.

Click here to access COGS

What type of online services are used at our school?

Our school uses a variety of online services and applications to support and enhance our students’ educational experiences and to create a high quality and innovative learning environment. Our school uses online services for:

  • Teaching and learning
  • Communication and engagement with parents
  • Student administration
  • School management
  • Complying with legal requirements
  • Supporting students’ social and emotional wellbeing, and health
  • Supporting policy in relation to student education and wellbeing
  • Other purposes stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy

Examples of online services, and where appropriate or permitted by law, school staff or software providers may access information in online services for other purposes, for example, where the software provider needs access to provide technical support.

The CHS Privacy Statement can be found on Compass under School Documentation.

Key online services used by our school include:

  • Adobe, ArcGIS Online, Autodesk Inc
  • Blender, Blooket
  • Canva, Clickview, Compass, Cool.org, Craiyon
  • Draw.io, Duolingo
  • Education Perfect
  • Garbanzo, GeoGuessr, Google Sketch Up, Grok Learning, GTAC
  • Kahoot, Khan Academy
  • Minecraft Ed, Miro, Mote, MuseScore, Music Notes, MyInstants
  • Padlet, PhET, Pinterest, Project Gutenberg
  • Quizlet
  • Scenic and Lighting, Scribd, Sentence Builders, Songsterr, Soundcloud, Soundtrap, Spotify, Story Jumper, Study Clix
  • Target Learning, TMilly
  • Ultimate Guitar
  • Youtube

What content and materials will be shared through the software?

Students may have the ability to create, store and share schoolwork related content, such as photographs, audio and video recordings, and non-classroom related information. Where this work contains personally identifiable information of students or others, we will guide students on how to handle is safely and respectfully, and to seek appropriate permissions.

How do we protect personal and other information?

Personal information will be handled in line with the school’s and DET’s policies. These include: Schols’ Privacy Policy, Cybersafety and Responsible Use of Digital Technologies, Acceptable Use Agreement.

We will help your child to use online learning systems safely by providing them with technical or any other help they need.

Families and carers can also assist by:

  • Having conversations with your child about eSafety
  • Checking that your child is comfortable raising any issues with you or their teacher
  • Watching you child when they use the software from home to check if they have any concerns

Who can I contact if I have questions?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child sing any of the online services, or you do not want your child to participate, please contact the school via email (info@coburg.vic.edu.au) or phone (9353 1700) to discuss your options.