Technology
Introduction
Hibbing Public Schools has a robust technology infrastructure supporting a district-wide Digital Learning Initiative. All students in grades K through 12 have their own iPad. All general ed classrooms have a computer, interactive whiteboard, projector, and audio enhancement system. Buildings have computer labs as needed.
The computers run in a managed environment that allows the Technology Department to push out software applications and updates to a computer or group of computers as needed and keeps the computers operating in standardized configurations and prevents the installation of unlicensed software.
Digital Learning
The Technology Department supports a variety of classroom technologies, computer labs, iPads and educational software systems.
Hardware: The district has computer labs for student use as well as a district-wide 1:1 iPad program. All classrooms are also outfitted with interactive whiteboards and audio enhancement systems.
Software: We support sophisticated software systems used to deliver curriculum services. Examples include: Schoology Enterprise (Learning Management System), Accelerated Reader (reading assessment), Renaissance Learning STAR (student assessment), iXL Math, Alexandria (a library automation), Google Suite for Education, and several other applications and services.
These network-based software packages provide each student with instruction, and then tests their understanding of the materials presented. The software also tracks each student's progress through the courses. Reports are made available to the faculty showing student progress.
The district also uses specialized software in dedicated curriculum areas, such as CAD, graphic arts, electricity, and robotics.
Administrative Applications
In additional to standard office productivity suites, the district deploys several education specific applications to help with administrative requirements.
Our student information system (PowerSchool) integrates with an electronic gradebook that teachers use in their classroom. Parents and students have access to their assignments, attendance and grades via a web browser. PowerSchool also manages state reporting requirements, student test score data, as well as other data.
The district uses PowerSchool Analytics as a data warehouse and analysis tool. We can view test score data from any source, and quickly and easily build graphs and view the data in unique ways. Data can be viewed and compared by district, building, grade, classroom, special program, demographic data, etc. Data from year to year can also be compared.
The district uses custom database applications to manage other data as required, such as curriculum mapping, lesson plans, insurance policy management, staff management, community education management, and several others.
The district uses Google Suite for Education productivity software for group communications and collaborative services.
Each building library uses Alexandria Library Automation software to manage their inventory and provide card catalog services to students.
We also deploy a messaging system which can send voice and text messages to parents and guardians. It integrates with our student information system to contact parents when students are absent.