Page 35 - DAIS Insignia 2021-2022
P. 35
CIS NEASC representation of our school community. They visited TECHNOLOGY During the COVID-19 lockdown(s) we took the opportunity to
upgrade the school's internet bandwidth. We also increased the
classrooms and co-curricular activities to have a better
RE-ACCREDITATION understanding of school life at DAIS. At the end of the visit, the IN EDUCATION number of Wi-Fi Access Points across the school; often placing
two (2) CISCO Wi-Fi Access Points in each classroom for
Team was very appreciative of the whole school community,
enhanced Wi-Fi coverage. To optimize network traffic,we
stating that 'DAIS is a vibrant and aspiring learning community
created two (2) new Wi-Fi networks: D-STAFF and D-STUDENT.
that is deeply committed to use the CISNEASC joint
As we transitioned into hybrid school, we utilized a mixture of
accreditation process as a continuing catalyst for school in-person learning and our distance learning tools. Some
improvement…This confirmed the school's philosophy of students were unable to attend physical school but were able
whole world family and happy school valuing individuals,
to participate online. We had had a staged approach to
being firmly embedded in the ethos of the school” students coming to campus during hybrid school;
systematically bringing different grade levels of students into
The Preparatory Visit team felt that the school is place physical classrooms as COVID protocols allowed.
conducive to the learning and well-being of both its students Now that we have fully returned to physical school, we use iPad
and staff, despite the challenges of the pandemic. They further trolleys to bring iPads into the primary classrooms while the
commended the collaborative nature of interactions among middle and high school students use their own laptops. DAIS
staff and students, the commitment to high-quality teaching Mr. Marc Bradley has an educator curated assortment of digital resources
and learning across the school and the development of the Director of Technology available to provide high quality teaching and learning across
definitions of Global Citizenship. The team also recommended the curriculum. DAIS to emphasize four (4) key areas of ICT:
Microsoft Office skills, Adobe (Creative/Art) skills, Coding, and
some areas for improvement as we approach the self-study
Ms. Swarnalatha Potukuchi Ms. Kavita Dyas phase of the Re-Accreditation, which include a review of the We all know about the importance of technology. The modern Digital Citizenship. Our students are tasked with maintaining a
world has technology touching almost every facet of our lives.
Chair, Self Study Co-Chair, Self Study guiding statements to ensure that they remain vibrant and Technology in education is technology that benefits teaching healthy and balanced use of technology while keeping abreast
of evolving technological advances.
Steering Committee Steering Committee relevant to the needs of the community, as well as the
and learning. Specifically, technology in education is 21st century teaching and learning has become the new
continued unpacking of the definitions of High-Quality
2016 was a noteworthy year as it was the year in which DAIS technology that helps learners understand, engage, and normal at DAIS and we are pleased in our Digital
Teaching & Learning and Global Citizenship, so that they are Transformation to become a Microsoft Showcase School.
as awarded international accreditation by the Council fully embedded within all members of the community. absorb what is being taught.
of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association Technology has changed our classrooms for the better. During Microsoft's recognition confirms our dedication to technology
in education. We have made solid progress in bringing
of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), making DAIS one among DAIS is now in the next stage of the Re-Accreditation process, the COVID-19 lockdown(s) we used technology to offer virtual technology out of the computer labs and into every classroom
the seven schools in India to receive joint accreditation from which is the 18-month Self-Study. Through this Self-Study, the classes to students who were unable to come to physical throughout the school, but we have more to do. The best is yet
these world-renowned institutions at that time. The five year school will take a deeper look at the implementation of the school. Over the course of the COVID-19 lockdown(s) we used to come
Accreditation journey from 2016 to 2021, DAIS worked actions planned during the Preparatory Visit, will address the Microsoft Teams, ManageBac, and Exam.net as our distance Mr. Marc Bradley
on realising the actions in our Strategic Plan and implementing recommendations listed in the report, with a special focus on learning tools. Director of Technology
the recommendations from the report. In 2021, we began the 'Major' Recommendations. Between March and early May
the process of Re-Accreditation, which includes a Preparatory 2022, all stakeholder groups completed the CIS Community
Evaluation Visit, which took place in October 2021, followed Survey. The results from this survey will be used to understand implementation and use of Epic, a digital reading program
by an 18-month self-study which we are in the process of, how well the school is aligned with standards across all NOTES FROM THE platform that can remotely track progress and monitor activity
and which will culminate in a Team Evaluation Visit in domains of our functioning, to get a clear picture of our for a student or the entire class, differentiating student reading
September 2023. strengths and areas for improvement, and to inform the LEARNING CENTRE by assigning appropriate books, easily connecting books to
creation of the new Strategic Plan. As the school is in the level, genre, interest and subject areas.
In April 2021 starting with a whole-school CIS Annual
pivotal stage of transitioning to the new curriculum pathways Since the school has reopened the Learning Centre space has
Community survey, followed by a series of whole-school been very active, full of busy teachers and dynamic students.
and pedagogical approaches, the survey results for the
(teaching and non-teaching staff) workshops, the school Students are hungry for books and the librarians have been
domains related to Curriculum and Teaching and Assessment
community met to create definitions for High-Quality Teaching very busy providing lessons, and personalized support to satisfy
for Learning were shared with the faculty and staff in a whole
and Learning, Global Citizenship and Digital Citizenship. These the needs of all. The librarians are also working with the
school workshop.
definitions were also shared with student body for their input. teachers, as partners, to implement many reading activities to
The definitions formalized practices, which were already All staff were invited to express their interest in being part of develop an appreciation for books and improve reading skills.
widespread in the school and helped streamline our collective the Self-Study committees. When school reopens, committees To meet the needs of the students now and what the school
understanding and shared vision of these qualities, to more for each domain will begin work on collating evidence and envisions for the future, the Learning Centre team has been
effectively fulfil our mission, vision and strategic intent. preparing reports in the lead up to the Team Evaluation visit of collaborating with the Heads and the teachers to develop,
renew, and enrich the entire collection of books to support the
September 2023.
The compilation of the Preparatory Evaluation Report took Ms. Maria Pannunzio school values and objectives, the classroom curriculum, and
place between June and September 2021. Committees were The CIS NEASC Re-Accreditation process is an ideal time for Head, Learning Centre the students' reading interests and needs.
formed for each Domain, including representation from most reflection, introspection and growth. It allows us to better DAIS Learning Centre aims to provide a welcoming common The collection is being genreficated to provide easy and faster
stakeholder groups. Domain reports for all the core standards, understand ourselves as a school, and the evolving needs of space that encourages reading appreciation, inquiry, research access to favorite books, series, genres, topics, and redesigning
along with the reflective statements about the school guiding our community, as well as ways in which we can challenge skills, critical thinking, and collaboration. the organizational system of the shelves, to improve the access
statements and their implementation were completed in ourselves to grow to meet these needs. During the pandemic, the Learning Centre (LC) team to the books the students want to read.
September 2021. These reports and statements were a supported the new remote teaching and learning demands by The librarians also collaborate to develop research and digital
product of detailed discussion and reflection on the work done Swarnalatha Potukuchi WELL-BEING developing information and media literacy skills to support the citizenship skills into students, to provide students with the
at DAIS since 2016. Chair, Self Study Steering Committee academic honesty program, and by curating a comprehensive necessary tools they will be able to use information, and other
variety of high-quality, age appropriate fiction and nonfiction intellectual properties in an ethical and responsible way.
A two-member team, with representation from CIS and Kavita Dyas digital resources, and tools, which were easily accessed via Ms. Maria Pannunzio
NEASC visited DAIS virtually and interacted with a wide Co-Chair, Self Study Steering Committee Destiny Discover. The librarians also supported the Head, Learning Centre
32 33