Technology in the Classroom

Preparing Students for the Digital Age and Beyond

Colorado Academy’s Technology Program is one of the most innovative and comprehensive in the state. We provide up-to-date equipment, training, and friendly tech support to enable students, staff, and even parents, to succeed in the digital age. Campus-wide technology supports Windows, Apple, and iOS platforms.

CA’s 1:1 iPad Learning Program enhances our existing curriculum and supports a variety of learning styles, providing portability and an equitable platform for all students. The school piloted the program with intensive faculty training and 1:1 iPads in 5th, 6th and 9th grades. The 2017-18 school year is the fifth year of CA's program. The 1:1 program -- one device per student -- begins in the fifth grade, and encompasses all grades in Middle and Upper schools. Mobile tablet labs are provided for classrooms from Pre-K through 4th grade. All classrooms are equipped with electronic whiteboards.

CA provides desktop computer labs and innovation labs, and makes robotics sets available throughout the school. In addition, the Lower School Library, the Raether Library and the Language lab have at least 20 computers for student use. In each division, we emphasize the importance of digital citizenship, online safety, and maintaining the ability to “unplug.”

Learning to be Content Contributors

Our Digital Media labs are designed to train students to be creators of content so that they may confidently join the world’s ever-evolving on-line conversation. Our photography department features a state-of-the-art 20-iMac digital photo lab to complement its traditional photo lab facilities, and our 20-iMac digital video lab serves budding cinematographers. We also offer a specialty lab of computers in the Lower School for video production, and a digital music composition lab and full sound studio in the Schotters Music Center. Middle and Upper School students may check out netbooks and iPads from the library, as well as Kindle e-readers featuring hundreds of titles. The CA Language Lab features 20 computers and a server with interactive world language software.

Technology Staff

Each division’s technology coordinator supports CA students, faculty, and staff by provding just-in-time instruction, one-on-one and group training, and individualized advice and help with their technology projects. In addition, the Raether Librarian offers small-group sessions of iPad support and training.

Teaching with Technology

Classroom teachers use a variety of tools – from laptops, iPads, and document cameras to interactive whiteboards and projectors – to assist them with presentations, pedagogy, and productivity, to access the Internet, to exchange papers with students via the Cloud, and to post homework and class resources on their course web pages. All classrooms in the Lower School have Activboards. and all Middle and Upper School teachers use SMART Boards. CA has been designated as a SMART Showcase school.

Pre-K-12 Computer Science

The scope and sequence of Colorado Academy’s technology curriculum is designed to support learning across our entire curriculum, and to develop our students’ ability to acquire, analyze, and generate new information and ideas in the modern world. To this end, CA offers a variety of courses aimed at teaching computer literacy and competency from Pre-K through Grade 12. Our robotics program offers learning opportunities in all three divisions, as well as programming, beginning with Scratch Lab workshops in the Lower School and programming with Greenfoot and Python. CA juniors and seniors may work with advanced algorithms and data structures.

Technology Staff

List of 8 members.

Mr. Jared Katzman

Director of Technology; Computer Science Instructor

University of Delaware - B.S.
University of Colorado-Boulder - M.E.

At CA Since: 2014
Bio
Mr. Katzman teaches a Computer Science class, handles password questions, policy issues, troubleshooting, and answers questions about iPads, the wireless network, and the technology program in general. He also helps teachers develop technology-integrated lessons and helps individual students in the computer labs with their questions.
Mrs. Kimberly (Kitches) Jans

US Technology Coord, K-12 Computer Science Dept. Chair

Colorado State University - B.S.
University of Oregon - M.S.

At CA Since: 2001
Bio
Ms. Jans teaches Computer Science (programming) and is the head of that department. She also teaches robotics and arduino courses, assists individual students in the labs with their questions, helps teachers with iPads and software and is the Academic Webmaster of the CA website. She can answer questions about programming, software, the CA webpage, databases, spreadsheets, PhotoShop, and the upper school technology program.
Ms. Jennie Kies

Technology Integration & Innovation Specialist

University of Northern Iowa - B.S. & B.A.
University of Northern Iowa - M.A.

At CA Since: 2016
Bio
Jennie is the school-wide technology integration and innovation specialist. She teaches classes in the Middle School, and assists and advises technology teachers and other faculty with their technology ideas and concerns.
Mr. Bill Witt

LS Technology Coordinator

University of Denver - B.S.
University of Colorado at Denver - M.A.

At CA Since: 2002
Bio
Mr. Witt can handle hardware and software troubleshooting, and questions about printing, lost files, keyboarding, and the lower school technology program. He also manages all the Lower School iPads and helps students and teachers with iPad apps.
Mr. Rory Butler

Network Administrator

Westwood College of Technology - A.A.

At CA Since: 1999
Bio
Mr. Butler can handle everything with respect to the network, student laptop network access, printing problems, e-mail, problems with log-ins, video editing, DVD burning, etc. He also manages all the iPads in Middle and Upper School, keeps the wireless network running and manages all the desktop computers in labs, libraries, classrooms and offices.
Mr. Jonathan Ender

Tech Support & iPad Specialist

University of Denver - B.A.
University of Denver - M.A.

At CA Since: 2013
Bio
Mr. Ender handles troubleshooting for most equipment, but is especially helpful with Macs, iPads and Smart Boards. He assists Mr. Butler with all computer, network, and mobile device management.
Ms. Allie Bronston

Middle School Librarian/MS Computer Science & Innovations Instructor

Lewis & Clark College - B.A.
University of Denver - M.L.I.S.

At CA Since: 2013
Bio
Ms. Bronston, as well as being the Middle School Librarian, is the Middle School Technology Coordinator. She helps teachers and students with their iPads and technology lesson planning.
Ms. Mary Leyva

Library Assistant

University of Colorado at Boulder - B.A.

At CA Since: 2011
Bio
Mrs. Leyva keeps the library and technology files, finances and toner cartridges organized, as well as assisting in the Lower School Library.

Jared Katzman, Director of Technology

”CA teachers have embraced the iPad to engage their students. As a result, students are better organized and are crafting creative presentations and research projects and learning to be good digital citizens. I am proud that CA is a leader in technology integration among independent schools in Colorado."

iPad Links & Resources