The decision to move
to a 1:1 program was taken first and foremost to enhance student learning. A
1:1 environment helps standardize the "learning environment" between
home and school and makes greater use of multimedia and interactive learning materials
possible.
In the classroom, 1:1
programs can:
- support
independent learning
- increase
the level of collaboration between peers and with teachers
- allow
students to gain a deeper understanding of the material
- help
teachers address the needs of students with multiple intelligences and
different learning styles
- allow
students and teachers to share, send and submit assignment, materials and
information efficiently
- increase
focus on topics such as language and writing and in the classroom
- encourage
students to “troubleshoot” issues and use trial and error methods for problem
solving
- instill
a sense of “ownership” in students in regards to their learning
- get
students excited about their assignments and learning process as a whole
A
1:1 laptop environment will ensure HTS is at the cutting-edge of educational
philosophy, technology and delivery. It will enable us to provide innovative
and flexible educational technology solutions in the classroom and beyond.
Parents have a right to expect that
school will prepare their children to work with the IT tools they will
find in university and in the workplace. Blackboard is our
private e-learning portal, through which students and parents can view
calendars, assignments, notes and grades. It enables students to work,
collaborate and study in a world connected wirelessly to the latest
technology and information.
The use of Blackboard augments the ways in which students with
different learning profiles can find success; enhances classroom
engagement by giving our teachers new tools and approaches; improves the
effectiveness of our communication with parents and students; and
increases the transparency of our programmes and our assessments.
E-learning is an adjunct to, not a replacement for, in-class
learning. Teachers, with all their experience, expertise and enthusiasm,
will continue to be the centre of an HTS education.
In September 2008, the HTS IT
Department began the process of introducing and implementing a web
application called Blackboard. This product allows teachers, at its
simplest level, to post materials as they would on websites, but it also
provides much more elaborate functionality, such as on-line testing,
discussion groups, guided learning activities and Wikis. It is a quantum
leap forward from traditional educational websites that will allow for
the development of the 21st Century skills that students need in the Web
2.0 world.
Here are some of the benefits that Blackboard will provide HTS:
- A much easier and faster programme for teachers to use than
traditional websites. It will free teachers to do more vital work than
web updating.
- A much richer environment that will allow teachers to employ a
wider variety of strategies for their classes, thereby increasing
avenues for student success.
- More access to student grades so that parents do not have to wait until report cards to see how their children are progressing.
- Blackboard is used by many of the universities our students
will attend. Exposing them to working with Blackboard aligns with our
mission of preparing students for university studies.
Early in the school year Blackboard parent accounts will become active that will grant them access to the course content.
Click here for the login screen
All students at HTS have e-mail accounts provided by the school. Students are expected to use these accounts while at school rather than their own personal accounts such as those provided by Hotmail, Gmail or Yahoo.
Students who find that their e-mail accounts are disabled should see their homeroom teacher who will contact the IT Department. For security reasons, the IT Department will not change passwords for students who appear at the office door.
Logging In
System users have two options:
1. Users may preface their login names with hts-rh\
2. Use your e-mail address as your login name or simply type in your email address.
Student accounts now have a new format firstname.m.lastname@hts.on.ca or in the case where a student has no middle name it is firstname.lastname@hts.on.ca
During the summer break student accounts are erased to allow for network servicing. They will become functional again near the start of school.
Click here to go to the co-curricular sign up
Logging In
*Please note that you have to login as a student.
System users have two options:
1. Users may preface their login names with hts-rh\
2. Use your e-mail address as your login name Or simply type in your email address.
Student accounts now have a new format -> firstname.m.lastname@hts.on.ca or in the case where a student has no middle name it is firstname.lastname@hts.on.ca