Redwood Day is an independent, diverse K-8 school | 510.534.0800
Technology Use at Redwood Day and at Home
Technology Use at Redwood Day and at Home
A. General Overview
To support our 3rd-8th grade students we will provide each student with a Chromebook to use at school and at home. This will ensure that students do not share devices and thereby limit contact-based transmission of COVID-19. This will also allow all students to have access to the same technology at home and at school.
Finally, we are currently engaged in working to increase the value and offerings of our Distance Learning Program, based on the feedback we received from students, faculty/staff, and parents/guardians. At the present time to support Distance Learning, the following online learning platforms have been confirmed to support student learning during Distance Learning:
Since we will be live-streaming instruction across the grade levels in all disciplines, we will need parent/guardian permission for their child to participate in classroom experiences while learning interactions are live-streamed to other students in different locations on campus and/or at home. Live-streamed classes will be shared on large screens in classroom locations and on individual laptops at home. The School may also choose to record specific lessons for students who are unable to access live-streamed classes due to illness, etc. Live-streaming and/or recording live classes will be essential to the success of our in-person instruction model. All Parents/guardians will need to sign a release form to give permission for their child to be live-streamed and/or recorded in a classroom setting.
Finally, we are currently engaged in working to increase the value and offerings of our Distance Learning Program, based on the feedback we received from students, faculty/staff, and parents/guardians. At the present time to support Distance Learning, the following online learning platforms have been confirmed to support student learning during Distance Learning:
- Google Apps for Education
- Google Classroom for K-5
- Hapara for 6-8
- Blackbaud Portal for 6-8 (commonly known as the School Portal)
- IXL
- Lexia
- Membean
- Newsela
- Raz Kids
- Typing Pal
- Zearn
- Think Central
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
As our work continues, we will look at additional resources to make our program even more robust, and we will send out more communication on our enhanced program in the future.
B. Frequently Asked Questions
List of 5 items.
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a. Why is Redwood Day live-streaming classes on campus and for students at home?
Since the guidance from local, state, and federal agencies requires stable groups of students, we will be live-streaming teachers and students into other classroom locations on campus and/or to individual student’s homes. With parent/guardian permission, we will also be recording some of these live classes for students to refer to asynchronously. Live-streaming instruction will allow us to keep students in stable groups and ensure that teachers have manageable teaching loads as they deliver exceptional instruction that is a hallmark of our program. -
b. How are the online learning platforms chosen for Distance Learning?
Our Learning Management System (LMS) choices have been made based on being a Google Apps for Education School. Blackbaud is our main system at Redwood Day. This includes our Student Information System (SIS), our Parent Information System (PIS) and our “Portal.” Therefore, we leverage their academic module for our Middle School. -
c. What type of training is provided for teachers to be able to utilize the various platforms?
Teacher training is central to our success as we navigate existing and new technology platforms for instruction. Teachers receive training in-person, online, and through online conferences and seminars. Additionally, our Technology Integration Specialist and Manager of Information Systems help teachers navigate new online platforms that will enhance their instructional capabilities. Furthermore, many of our teachers become resident experts in specific technology or applications, and we provide ample time for them to train each other on the implementation of new learning resources. -
d. How will the new Technology Integration Specialist help teachers implement learning platforms for Distance Learning, if necessary?
For the upcoming school year, Redwood Day will have a new position on our teaching team - Technology Integration Specialist. This position will be responsible for working directly with teachers, Division Directors, and the Technology Department to ensure that our Distance Learning Program continues to be responsive to the evolving needs of our students, teachers, and families. -
e. If my child or I experience technology-related difficulties throughout the school year, who should we contact for assistance?
First, contact your child’s teacher. If the teacher is unable to resolve the problem, please send an email to parenttechhelp@rdschool.org
3245 Sheffield Ave
Oakland, CA 94602
510.534.0800
Oakland, CA 94602
510.534.0800
