Technology

Our Core Values drive and guide us as we serve the school community. As members of CRPS IS, we are committed to:

• People: We listen to, respect, and care for faculty, staff, students, and one another, both professionally and personally.

• Collaboration: We are dedicated to a constructive, team-oriented environment, gathering varied perspectives, sharing knowledge, and building effective partnerships with key stakeholders.

• Continuous Improvement: We strive for operational excellence through the on-going development of the staff and the organization as a whole.

• Innovation: We encourage creative and critical thinking in the development of technology services and solutions.

• Service: We strive to provide excellent service by being consistent, agile, reliable, and accessible to all.

• Transparency: We leverage open communications and thoughtful business processes to be accountable in our interactions and our work.

Canadian Rockies Public Schools supports the Learning and Technology Policy Framework:

Today’s generation has seen the rise of knowledge as a key resource of the world’s economy.

"Today’s generation has seen the rise of knowledge as a key resource of the world’s economy. In the future, Alberta’s economy will be even more knowledge-based, diverse and grounded in value-added industries. If we are to shape the future of education and not have it shaped for us, we must become more purposeful in our approach to technology. We need to understand what may be emerging, its implications, and how it can be used for education. Ultimately, the power of technology should be harnessed to support innovation and discovery, not simply to aid teaching. We need to engage learners to use these new technologies as designers and creators of knowledge."

What is Assistive Technology?
Simply put Assistive Technology (AT) is any form of technology that assists students in their learning. It can range from low-tech solutions like pencil grips or a highlighter to a high tech solution like speech recognition software or iPads/iPods.

How is assistive technology used?
Assistive technology should be used as support for access, learning and performing daily tasks. In general, assistive technology is appropriate when it compensates for disabilities so that the individual can function as normally as possible. If assistive technology is necessary for a student to have access to educational opportunities or to benefit from education, then it is not a "crutch" but a legitimate support. Some skills are too laborious or taxing to accomplish at a rate or with degree of proficiency to allow for participation in the least restrictive environment. With assistive technology, the student can participate more fully and more closely approximate the levels of achievement and interaction of his or her peers. In general, the use of assistive technology enhances function and increases skills and opportunities.

When is assistive technology appropriate?
Assistive technology may be considered appropriate when it does any or all of the following things:

• Enables students to perform functions that can be achieved by no other means
• Enables students to approximate normal fluency, rate, or standards--a level of accomplishment which could not be achieved by any other means.
• Provides access for participation in programs or activities which otherwise would be closed to the individual
• Increases endurance or ability to persevere and complete tasks that otherwise are too laborious to be attempted on a routine basis
• Enables students to concentrate on learning tasks, rather than mechanical tasks
• Provides greater access to information
• Supports normal social interactions with peers and adults
• Supports participation in the least restrictive educational environment.