Instructional Technology
The Instructional Technology team works with educators to design and build their own digital learning environments to interact with their students in a variety of ways, including assignments, digital resources, quizzes, class announcements, etc. The IT team is also responsible for managing and assisting stakeholders with the HISD Learning Management Systems (LMS). Canvas is the primary LMS for grades 4-12, and Seesaw is the primary LMS for grades PK-3. Students can access their LMS on any device with an internet connection to interact with the digital environment and complete assigned tasks.
The Instructional Technology team supports students by helping them thrive in their digital environment, and supports teachers by providing professional development and resources that focus on goals, pedagogy, and instructional strategies. When integrating digital tools into the classroom, its important to first determine the purpose and define the goals of the lesson. Once the goal is clearly defined, teachers and students can then select a tool that matches their needs and complements the purpose of the lesson. Students and teachers access the majority of digital tools through Classlink, allowing them to spend less time navigating tools and more time learning. For any other tools that staff may want to use, the IT team is available to brainstorm, lesson plan, and support as needed.