Technology
Mulgrave offers students a stimulating, relevant, academic environment where technology is an accelerator of learning. Technology enhances inquiry, research, and creativity. It inspires critical thinking that connects to real-world problem solving and responsible action. Technology enables dynamic, individualised, and collaborative learning that is not bound by classroom walls, supporting our students as they make great progress in a rapidly changing, culturally diverse, and interdependent world.
Learning Technology
We aim to empower students to move beyond mere technology consumption into problem-solving, creation, and innovation. We know that technology can have a very positive impact on learning and achievement when it:
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engages students in learning
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supports higher cognitive activity
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personalises their learning experience
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extends learning beyond the classroom
Below is a snapshot of how technology enhances learning in the Middle School IB Programme at Mulgrave.
Technology and the Middle Years Programme
To support and extend learning in Grades 6 to 12, students are required to have a laptop. As they transition to the MYP, they are supported by teachers to make increasingly smart choices as to when it is appropriate to use technology, and about the opportunities available to them to enhance learning with digital tools. Teachers incorporate technology into lessons only when it adds considerable value to the learning experience.
The first week of classes for all Grade 6 through 9 students is devoted to the Digital Literacy and Citizenship (DLC) Bootcamp. During this week, course teachers focus on developing students’ digital skills to set them up for success in their specific courses. Communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills are taught within the context of a subject: online research skills through social studies, analysing and interpreting data in science, computational thinking skills for problem solving in mathematics, and writing for online audiences in English. Students build from this foundation, developing a digital toolkit that enhances and extends learning throughout their MYP years.
Throughout the year, our Learning Technology Integrationist works closely with teachers to integrate technology into lessons to make learning more engaging, authentic, and personalised. Examples of this include bringing a novel to life using virtual reality, interacting with AI chatbots, or designing a class projecting using CAD software and 3D printing.
Mulgrave’s LEAP Electives allow students to personalise their learning in ways that reflect their interests, strengths, and passions. Like all learning at Mulgrave, technology expertise is not an end goal in these courses. Rather, students may immerse themselves in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) courses in robotics, AI, coding, architecture, 3D animation, video game design, and web programming, where the development of design thinking, problem solving, and computational thinking skills are the larger goals. LEAP arts courses enable MYP students to engage and extend learning with industry leading technology such as in our digital photography, video production, DJing, and theatre tech electives.
Technology is a gateway for students to research, plan, analyse, and make connections, putting digital literacy and citizenship skills as well as approaches to learning (AtL) skills into a global, real-world context.
Our Mobile Device-Free Campus
As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering wellbeing and empowering our students to thrive, we implemented a No Mobile Devices on Campus Policy for all students on April 2024. This means that during school hours, students are not allowed mobile devices (both cell phones and smart watches). Rest assured, they have access to landlines throughout the school should they need to contact family members.
In the instances that families send their children with mobile devices for after school communication, specialised tech lockers are available at the Middle and Senior School reception areas, where students can securely store their mobile devices upon arrival and retrieve them at the end of the school day. Mobile device usage is not permitted anywhere on campus (including outdoor areas) between 7:30am and 4:00pm.
This decision was based on clear evidence from other schools and regions that have already implemented similar policies. The evidence shows improvements in student learning and well-being, along with the creation of an even stronger sense of community. This supports our mission of creating a healthy and focussed learning environment for all our students.