Technology

Technology Philosophy

At Monument Academy we believe the integration of technology into our classical curriculum serves to support and enhance our students’ learning. We are purposeful and careful in our planning and understand that it is not about the technology itself but rather how we use it to enrich the learning process.  Our program allows us to put educational materials from a variety of sources into every student’s hands and support significant components of learning: active engagement, group participation, multiple ways to learn, frequent feedback and reinforcement, and connection to experts in the real-world. The use of technology as a learning tool helps our students to take responsibility for their learning and to become creators and critical thinkers. We work to ensure that our students know how and when to use technology and are able to use these tools safely and wisely. It is our goal to provide our students access to appropriate technology tools as they progress academically in the classroom and to inspire and prepare them for their future in our modern world.

How We Use Technology

It is our philosophy that our students are best served by integrating technology in a meaningful way. We teach our students to use it purposefully to enhance and refine their curriculum and learning. We do not believe in using technology simply for the sake of technology or that it should be used as a reward or for busywork. Technology makes further exploration more accessible, refines and enriches projects, and develops critical thinking skills. Additionally, adaptive and individualized online programs like Reflex Math and Boost Reading improve students fluency and make rote learning more fun.

Tech Agreements

Student Agreements

Canvas

character education, quality teachers

Canvas is an easy-to-use, cloud-based learning management system (LMS) that connects all the digital tools and resources teachers and students use into one place. Monument Academy Middle School and High School teachers use Canvas to manage and deliver learning content and resources to students via a password-protected website. Middle and High School students use Canvas as a one-stop shop to view their grades, check their course calendar, utilize resources their teachers have provided and access their assignments. Parents are highly encouraged to “observe” their student’s courses in Canvas as a means of staying connected to what is happening in their student’s classrooms. Parents can check semester and final grades in Infinite Campus.

Canvas Guides & Tutorials

  • How do I know my assignment uploaded correctly? – Once an assignment has been submitted, both the app and the website will show a “Re-submit” button. This button lets you know something was successfully submitted. The app will also have a “Submission & Rubric >” option, and the website will have a link to “Submission Details”. Tap or click these links to see the work you submitted.
  • What do I do if I submitted my assignment, but it is marked “missing”? – Look for the “Re-submit”, “Submission & Rubric” and “Submission Details” links on the assignment. If you can’t find them, it is possible the submission didn’t go through. Talk to your teacher.
  • How do I know if assignments are supposed to be turned in online or in person? – If there is no submit button, this is an in-person assignment. This type of assignment is common for participation or performance grades.
  • What is the protocol if I miss a day of school? Do my submission links extend? How many days do I have to make up work? – Canvas does not de-activate submission links for assignments. You can still turn them in “late”. Whether they may still receive full credit depends on if your absence was excused or not. Please refer to the Student Handbook and individual course Syllabi for details specific to your situation.
  • What does MA recommend for Notification settings? – Recommended Notification Settings for Parents (for the website and the app)

Securly

Securly, a cloud-based content filter solution that students must log into using their school Google account. Any devices connected to our school networks, even guest devices, are filtered using Securly. The iPads registered to middle school students are also filtered off-premises, when they are not connected to our school networks.

In the 2018-19 school year, we started offering the Securly Parent Portal to parents of Middle School students.  Please see the Securly Parent Portal information page and FAQs.

Data Privacy

Protecting Your Child’s Data

Schools and school districts have always collected data on students. Instead of paper files, much of that data is now collected through computers and online resources. While the systems for organizing and managing this information have changed over the years, our school’s commitment to confidentiality remains the same.

It is our responsibility to ensure the security of each student’s education record and we take that responsibility very seriously. There are also existing federal and state laws in place that protect student information:

What Data Do We Collect and Why?

School Operations

We collect data such as addresses and phone numbers, gender and age, as well as information to ensure  student safety and accurate reporting to help run our school operations efficiently.

Measuring Progress and Participation of our Students

We collect data such as attendance, grades, and participation in school-sponsored extra-curricular activities to enable students to succeed.

Improving the Education Program

We collect results from local, state, and national assessments to provide teachers, administrators and parents important information about student, program and school performance and improve the education of the programs we offer.

Striving to Meet the Needs of Students

We collect surveys and other feedback to improve teaching and learning and address other other issues important to students and their families.

How Data Supports Successful Students

Teachers

Teachers eed data to understand when students are thriving and when they need more support in learning specific concepts.

Parents and Guardians

Parents and Guardians need access to their child’s educational data to help them succeed.

Students

Students need feedback on their progress so they can make good decisions about program choices and prepare for success.

School Officials

School officials and community members need to understand school performance and know if scarce eduction resources are being fully allocated fairly and effectively.

How is Education Data Protected?

We follow federal and state education privacy laws and adhere to privacy and security policies. When we use an online service provider to process or store data, they also must adhere to certain federal and state privacy laws. We also expect them to use current security protocols and technology.

FERPA

The Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) gives parents rights related to their children’s education records and personally identifiable information. Additional information is available in our annual notice to parents of their rights under FERPA and from the US Department of Education. Website link.

Under FERPA our vendors cannot use the education records we provide in any way that is not authorized by the school district. They cannot sell the data or allow others to access it except if we permit in accordance with federal and state education privacy laws.

COPPA

The federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) prevents child-directed websites and apps from collecting certain personal information from anyone under 13 years of age without parental permission. Our school system may consent on behalf of parents in the education context when student information is collected for the school’s exclusive use and benefit and for no other commerical purposes.

Our Committment

Improving Education

We are working to improve your children’s education by ensuring it meets their unique needs. It would be very difficult to accomplish this goal without the ability to capture important information about your child’s progress. Protecting personal information in secure and responsible ways is at the heart of our efforts to provide a richer more dynamic learning experience for all students.

Learn More

Federal and State Law Governing Data Reporting Requirements

In order to meet requirements of specific federal and state laws. Monument Academy is required to report specific student, school, and district Data to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). For more information regarding what information CDE collects, how it uses this information and CDE’s data privacy policies please visit the following link: Data Elements Collected by the Colorado Department of Education.

CDE maintains a data dictionary to provide parents, districts, and others with easy to access and clear information on the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) CDE collects in its data system.  The dictionary provides information on CDE’s collections, the data elements within each collection, a description of each data element, and the state or local laws related to that collection.

District Contracted Educational Partners:

Below is a comprehensive list of 3rd party service providers Monument Academy has a contractual agreement and shares student data with in order to effectively support student learning and success. All contractual agreements between 3rd party educational partners and Monument Academy ensure that each company’s data privacy policy is in full compliance with the Colorado Student Data Transparency and Security Act (HB 16-1423) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Contracts are available for review upon request.

Amplify Education mClass (Curriculum & Assessment Provider) Canvas (Student Learning management System)
ClassLink (Single Sign-on) Dibels (Curriculum & Assessment Provider)
Discovery Education (Online Curriculum Provider) eduCLIMBER (Student Learning management System)
Follett (School library system) Houghton Mifflin (Online Curriculum & Assessment Provider)
Infinite Campus (Student Information Data) Meal Time (Student Food Services)
NWEA (Online Assessment Provider) TCI (Online Curriculum Provider)
Typing Pal (Online Curriculum Provider) Versatrans (Student Transportation)

On-Demand School Service Providers:

Each of the following on-demand school service provider’s (websites and mobile apps) has been thoroughly reviewed to ensure that the companies privacy policy is in compliance with the Colorado Student Data Transparency and Security Act (HB 16-1423) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Each of the following company’s privacy policy explicitly describes:

  • what data is collected
  • educational purpose data is collected
  • how data is used
  • will not sell/share student data
  • will not engage in any target marketing practices

Teachers have school approval to use the following website and mobile apps with students. Teachers can create accounts for students with any of the following websites or mobile apps unless the student’s parent/guardian has indicated in writing, by submitting a formal letter to the school’s principal, that they prefer their child not have this access to these digital learning resources.

* Most of the apps listed do not collect data, but a Privacy Policy has been linked where available. Apps designated with an asterisk (*) may or may not provide a Privacy Policy, but they have been reviewed to ensure that no student identifiable information is required in the app.

3rd Grade Math Testing Prep 3rd Grade Reading Prep
4th Grade Reading Prep 4th Grade Vocabulary Challenge
50 States of U.S.A
5th Grade Reading Prep 5th Grade Reading, 5th Grade Reading Comprehension Prep
5th Grade Science Reading Comprehension Free 6th Grade Math Practice
A Number Math App – practice basic elementary number facts for kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade kids A Parcel of Courage book for kids with puzzles
A+ Spelling Test ABC MAGIC 2
ABC MAGIC PHONICS ABC READING MAGIC 3 Multiple Syllables Deluxe
ABC SPELLING MAGIC Ace Speed Math HD *
Addition and Subtraction Math Flashcard Match Games for Kids in 1st and 2nd Grade Adobe Acrobat Reader – View, Annotate & Share PDFs
Adobe Connect Mobile Adobe Spark Page, Post, Video
AirWatch Agent Algebra Touch
Animal Math Kindergarten Animal Math Games for Kids in Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st Grade Learning Numbers, Counting, Addition and Subtraction
Animal Number Games for Toddlers Animal Pre-K Early Math Games for Kids with Skills
Animal Second Grade Math Games for Kids in First, Second and Third Grade Premium Antonym Match *
Apple Productivity Suite: Keynote, Numbers, Pages Art Authority
Articulation Games Artsonia
Astro Math Astronomy Picture of the Day *
Aurasma Autism and PDD Categories
Autodesk FormIt 360 Awesome Memory *
Bandmate Chromatic Tuner BARD Mobile
BeatMaker 3 BeeLine Reader
Bee Typing * Blox 3D
Book Creator Bob Books #1 – Reading Magic HD
B-R-I-D-G-E Communication
Buncee Camera +2 *
Canvas by Instructure Cardinal Land – Jigsaw & Tangram Puzzle Blend
Categories Learning Center ChatterPix Kids, Moose Math – by Duck Duck Moose
Chess for Kids Cimo Spelling (Sight Words)
Civil War by KIDS DISCOVER ClaroPDF – Accessible Pro PDF Reader
Clever Clips
Coton Counting and skip counting
Counting Money + * Cursive Writing *
Cursive Writing App – abCursive 4 * Cut the Rope: Time Travel Free
Desmos Graphing Calculator Destiny Discover
Dexteria – Fine Motor Skill Development, Dexteria Jr. – Fine Motor Skill Development for Toddlers & Preschoolers Dictionary.com Dictionary & Thesaurus for iPad
Division Flashcard Match Games for Kids in 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade DivisionFlow, FlowPlus, MultiFlow *
Division Flashcard Match Games for Kids in 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade DMD Panorama
Do I Have a Right? Doceri Interactive Whiteboard
Doodle Buddy*
DRAW 3D JUNIOR :LEARN GEOMETRY & CREATE 3D MODELS DRC INSIGHT
Duolingo – Learn Languages for Free EarthViewer
Educreations Interactive Whiteboard Elements 4D by DAQRI
Encyclopædia Britannica English Spanish Dictionary – General
English Thesaurus Epic!
Essential Elements Interactive for iPad Executive Command
Exoplanet * Expedition with plurals
Explain Everything™ Interactive Whiteboard Eye Movement Training(Free) *
Factor Samurai – Multiply and Divide your way to Times Tables Mastery * Fireworks Tap
First Grade Reading Comprehension Practice * Flashcards [⁛]
Flashcards+ by Chegg — FREE Custom Flashcard Maker FlipaClip – Cartoon Animations*
Flipgrid Follett Destiny
Fry Words Fry Words Ninja – Reading Game
Food Frenzy: Following Directions Freading
Frog Dissection
Fun Clock for Kids – Learn to tell time FunSlides HD – Make HD video from photos *
Futaba Classroom Games for Kids GarageBand
Geography Duel Geometry Pad
GSuite: Google Chrome, Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Earth, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Street View (GSuite for Education) Grammaropolis
Green Screen by Do Ink Grid Lines: Ordered Pair Game
Hanna and Henry – Digital Storybooks * HMH DATAMANAGER
Howie Hungry Monster (Build Words) iMovie
I am – Affirmation Reminders* IEW Writing Tools
i-nigma QR Code, Data Matrix and 1D barcode reader Inspiration Maps™
Interactive Telling Time – Learning to tell time is fun Is & Are Fun Deck
iSpeak Choices, iSpeak Sequences iTrace — handwriting for kids
iTunes U iWordQ US
Jungle Coins – learn coin math K12 Periodic Table of the Elements
Keyboarding Without Tears: The Easiest Way to Learn Touch Typing Kids Doodle – Movie Kids Color & Draw *
Kindle – Read Books, eBooks, Magazines, Newspapers & Textbooks King of Math 2: Full Game
Letter to Santa Clause * Lucidchart
Magnifier Flash – A magnifying glass with light * Math Bingo
Math Fact Master: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division * Math Ninja HD Free! *
MathBoard Mathmateer™
Mathematical Run Mathseeds Grade 1,Mathseeds Grade 2
Max & Meredith: The Search for Percival Metabolism Sim
Metronome Ϟ * Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, Word
Mirroring Assist – Share your screen to teach, present, play games & more  Money Math Duel – Split Screen*
Monkey Math School Sunshine, Monkey Math – Jetpack Adventure, Monkey Math – Jetpack Adventure Free Monster Math – Help Your Kids Mental Mathematic Skills – Fun School Games
Montessorium: Intro to Math, Intro to Cursive, Intro to Words, Intro to US Multiplication Flashcard Quiz and Match Games for Kids in 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade Learning Flash Cards Free *
Mylight – Flashlight
My Monster Mayhem Kids Bedtime Story & Best Ebook My Story Book Creator School Edition
NASA App Natural Selection Sim
Nearpod Newsela: Daily news at the just-right reading level for you
Notability
Numbers and Counting Early Learning Math Match Games for Kids in Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st Grade NWEA MAP Testing
OverDrive – Library eBooks and Audiobooks Paint My Wings
Partners in Rhyme for Schools Peekaboo Studios
Periodic Table Pet Bingo
Pic Collage – Photo editor with templates and effects PivotalMOBILE
PopArt FX* PostSnap
PrestBingo Shapes Puffin Academy
QR Code Generator (FREE) Quiver – 3D Coloring App
Quiver Masks Quizlet – Flashcards & Study Tools
Reading Comprehension Prep,Reading Comprehension Grades K-1 READING MAGIC 2-Learning to Read Consonant Blends Through Advanced Phonics Games, READING MAGIC 3-Learning to Read Consonant Blends Through Advanced Phonics Games, READING MAGIC 4-Phonograms and Digraphs, READING MAGIC Deluxe–Learning to Read Through 3 Advanced Phonics Games
Relax Melodies HD: Sleep zen sounds & white noise for meditation, yoga and baby relaxation RWT Timeline
S&T SkyWeek Science Pro *
Scribble Press – Creative Book Maker for Kids Seesaw
Sentence Builder Master
Sentence Maker Free Sentence Reading Magic Deluxe for Schools-Reading Short Vowel CVC words
SENTENCE READING MAGIC-Reading Short Vowel CVC words Shadow Puppet Edu
Shape-O ABC’s * ShowMe Interactive Whiteboard
Sight Words: Break a Word Sight Words Ninja – The Endless Slicing Game to Learn to Read
Sight Words: Kids Learn Simple Machines by KIDS DISCOVER
Skype For IPad Slow Motion Camera Free – Slow & Fast Video Motion Camera *
SmallTalk Phonemes SnapStill – Extract Photos From Video *
SnapType Pro Socrative Student
SOUND BEGINNINGS SPELLING MAGIC-2, SPELLING MAGIC 3
SpellingCity Sphero EDU
Splash Math – K to 5 App for Kids | Free fun learning elementary games for home and classroom SpriteBox Coding
Stick Nodes Star Walk™ 2 – Guide to the Night Sky to Watch Stars, Planets, Meteor Showers & Constellations
State the States and Capitals Starfall Learn to Read
Stop Motion Studio Pro Striding Bird – An inspirational tale for kids
Subtraction Flashcard Match Games for Kids in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade Sushi Monster
Swift Playgrounds Talking Ginger 2
Talking Tom & Ben News for iPad The Calculator Free
The Scale of the Universe 2 * Therapy Report Center
ThingLink Tiggly Chef Subtraction: 1st Grade Math Game
Tiggly Story Maker: Make Words and Capture Your Stories About Them Tiggly Submarine: Preschool ABC Game
Tiny Words Spelling Tobii Dynavox Compass Connect
Toca Kitchen Monsters Toontastic 3D
TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1 Tumblebooks
Tunable: Tuner, Metronome, and Recorder * 50 US States
Virtual Manipulatives! Voice Dream Reader
Webber BIG Apraxia Comprehensive Treatment Program Weebly – Create a Free Website, Store or Blog
WordCloud by ABCYa Wordly Wise 3000® Online
Word Reference Dictionary Word Wagon
Worry Watch Write to the Core – Writing Prompts and Story Starters for the Beginning Writer
WWF Free Rivers WWF Together
Xylo – Cutie Monsters Xylophone Fun 

Devices

Monument Academy is committed to providing a challenging, content-rich, academic program offered within an engaging, caring, and positive learning environment. Established on a solid foundation of knowledge, Monument Academy emphasizes academic excellence, respect, responsibility, character and exemplary citizenship. The iPad “one-to-one” implementation project enables us to put educational materials from many sources in every student’s hands, bring facts to life, integrate problem solving and enable students to learn in an engaging way.

FAQs

The school has created a GSuite domain and generated GSuite accounts for all of our middle school students and teachers. Student GSuite accounts provide access to Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Student work created in GSuite integrates with Canvas and other apps and allows for much easier collaboration within the Monument Academy domain. For more information about the GSuite Privacy Policy, please refer to our Data Privacy page.

The Devices are owned by the school. The student will have exclusive use of it during the school year as long as they follow the guidelines outlined in the iPad Agreement.

The school is managing the costs for this through the technology fee.  The first break is covered in full.  The second break and any subsequent breaks are the responsibility of the student and their parents.

All students will be assessed an annual technology fee of $75 to cover the cost of a case, device management, Internet filtering, network access, and one iPad repair as follows which is taken from Section D of the iPad Agreement and Fees:

D. Damage, Loss, or Theft
1. The student and their parent/guardian is financially responsible for any/all accidental damage,
including but not limited to liquid spills, power surges, drops, falls, collisions, vandalism, flood, fire,
and smoke, as well as damage to cords and AC adapters. The student and parent/guardian agree to
all costs of repair up to and including the replacement of the issued iPad. Repair fees will be
assessed as follows:
a. First (accidental) iPad repair: no cost IF the iPad is in a school-issued case and has the screen
protector installed, provided under annual technology fee
b. Second and subsequent iPad repairs: full cost of repairs
c. First (accidental) screen protector replacement: no cost IF the iPad is in a school-issued case
and the screen protector is returned
d. Second and subsequent screen protector replacements: full cost of replacement
e. iPad Replacements: full cost of iPad replacement due to loss or damage

We researched financial investment, longevity of devices, and the availability and cost of educational tools for various platforms and determined the iPad to be best suited for our Middle School environment.  For the Middle School level, we have found a single platform to be more manageable for teachers and students.  The support and professional development provided by Apple Education are far superior to other products. We believe this to be the best educational decision for our staff and students.

Our objectives are to provide an effective and efficient learning tool for our students. We are constantly trying to find innovative ways to engage students in their learning. The goal of technology integration is to engage students in the learning process, offering appropriate evaluation and communication tools. In a world full of technology, our classrooms must use it to leverage educational resources for the benefit of our students.

Teachers can avoid making homework internet dependent. The books and apps will be accessible without Wi-Fi. Before students leave school for the day the teachers can ensure that students have the opportunity to download any important documents. The school library is available during all advisory periods for students requiring internet access for their home-work. If more time is needed, arrangements can be made.

As with any school supply or needed tool, they will be at a disadvantage. Under our service agreement, we will have a quick turnaround period for repairs but replacement issues may take longer.

Opting out is not possible as this is a tool required for your child’s learning at our school. This will become a replacement for most of their textbooks and many other items currently in their backpack. It would put them at a serious disadvantage and jeopardize their ability to function properly in the classroom.
If finances are a concern, Monument Academy is committed to working with every family to make every opportunity possible for your child to have an iPad.

Yes, the Devices are filtered at home and at school using Securly, a cloud-based content filter solution that students must log into using their school Google account. https://www.securly.com/

In the 2018-19 school year, we started offering the Securly Parent Portal to parents of Middle School students.  Please see the Securly Parent Portal information page and FAQs.

Yes, the YouTube website is blocked for students and the YouTube app is inaccessible to students. Teachers are able to embed videos into Canvas for students to view as part of the learning process. There are no ads associated with these embedded videos. Videos are viewed within Canvas and do not link to other videos on either the YouTube website or app.