In addition to the above system, the Ministry of Education has its own on-line grade system for primary, middle, and high school education (e-okul), to which parents have access and which provides a summary of student grades, inputted by teachers at key junctures of the school year.
The three schools have active websites on which key information is regularly updated. Each of the schools publishes a weekly bulletin which contains, amongst other things, important school-related information, a calendar of upcoming events, regular feedback on teaching and learning activities in all subjects, and news of student successes. The bulletins provide an important contact point for the schools’ community.
Teachers and students are given email accounts through the University’s computer system. The computer backbone for the school, as a result of being linked to the university system, is excellent.
Teachers and students are encouraged to develop their own websites. The school also encourages teachers to actively use Moodle, an interactive Learning Management System which allows the curriculum to be posted and delivered on-line as part of a blended learning approach. For the IB Diploma Programme, teachers and students are encouraged to use the ManageBac online support system.
The school has three fixed computer laboratories, one for each school. Computers are also available in the middle school and high school libraries. Laptops and i-pads are widely available to teachers, and can be brought into class by teachers to support specific learning activities. Data projectors are used extensively in the schools. All staff have access to computers in their departmental rooms and in their classrooms.
Computer use is well integrated into all aspects of the life of the school. The recent experience with distance education has led to increased emphasis across the schools on digital support for learning, coupled with substantial investment in hardware and software to facilitate this ‘new normal’.
