At Mission Basilica School, technology is viewed as a vehicle of communication, analysis, and research in the light of Catholic values and moral decision making.  Technology is integrated into each office, classroom, and learning environment within the school community.  Precautions are taken to assure the safety of students, including providing ongoing education of inappropriate and potentially dangerous use of technology.  Every student and faculty member sign an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) at the beginning of each school year.

Technology Labs

Mission Basilica School is dedicated to enhancing student learning utilizing computer technology. Through gifts and endowments by gracious benefactors, Mission Basilica School has been able to maintain a state-of-the-art technology program that supports the Diocese of Orange’s technology curriculum.

Pre-Kindergarten through second grade students learn keyboarding skills and use software and the internet to support their classroom curriculum.  The Accelerated Reading Program is also accessed in their Learning Lab of 21 laptops, an overhead projector, a document camera, and color laser printer.  Media and resources from Discovery Education are enjoyed by students and teachers alike.  Their historic backdoor exits right onto the beautiful grounds of Mission San Juan Capistrano!

During the summer of 2008 the school’s technology resources were updated in the classrooms and the Technology Lab for grades three through eight.  Thirty seven work stations are equipped with the internet and software which supports our curriculum.  This student learning environment encourages students to learn how to apply technology to their life-long learning adventure.  The Technology Lab is equipped with workstations that have tools which engage students in keyboarding practice, word processing, drawing, research, student authoring, developing multi-media assignments, presenting, learning, and sharing talents.  Responsible use of technology is discussed and practiced.  The A+ Learning System is a skills assessment and instructional software we have for supplemental activities in math, grammar, and reading comprehension.

To facilitate teacher and student interaction in learning, this Lab has a SMART board, a scanner, digital cameras, flip video cameras, and a color laser printer.  Students attend two forty-five minute technology classes every week, working toward meeting the International Student Technology Standards (ISTE).  An additional forty-five minutes per week is dedicated to work on math curriculum goals which ar individually created and based on individual mastery.  Students and teachers also make use of Accelerated Reading and Star Assessments for reading assessment and for recording comprehension of the books they have read.

In Classrooms

In addition, each classroom has one or two student workstations with a printer enabling students to connect to the inernet, word process assignments, participate in the Accelerated Reader Program, and the A+ Learning System..  Each classroom teacher has access to a desktop computer, Hover Cam, projector, and SMART Board for use in classroom instruction, creating lesson plans, reporting grades, communicating with parents, and research.  Discovery Education media and resources enrich curriculum in all classrooms.

Technology is neither an end in itself nor an add-on; it is not a stand alone subject at Mission Basilica School.  It is a tool for improving, and ultimately, transforming teaching and learning.  To accomplish this job, technology must be an integral part of the school’s overal plan to move children toward high academic and Christian standards.