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 developmentally appropriate robotics sets available throughout the school. In addition, the Lower School Library and the Raether Library 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.

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 - BS
University of Colorado-Boulder - MEngr

At CA Since: 2014
Bio
Jared Katzman, Director of Technology, 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.
Mrs. Kimberly Jans

US Technology Coord, Computer Science Dept. Chair

Colorado State University - BS
University of Oregon - MS

At CA Since: 2001
Bio
Kimberly Jans teaches Computer Science and is the chair of that academic department. She also 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, and the upper school technology program.
Mr. Bill Witt

LS Technology Coordinator

University of Denver - BS
University of Colorado at Denver - MA

At CA Since: 2002
Bio
Bill Witt, Lower School Technology Coordinator, 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.
Ms. Jennie Kies

Technology Integration & Innovation Specialist

University of Northern Iowa - BS & BA
University of Northern Iowa - MA

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

Upper School Computer Science/Engineering & Design

Wesleyan University - BA
New York University - MS
Regis University - MEd

At CA Since: 2017
Bio
Sean Gallop teaches AP Computer Science Priniples and Introduction to Programming using Python in the Upper School. He also teaches two sections of Toy Making in the Innovations Lab in Upper School.
Ms. Allie Bronston

Middle School Librarian/MS Computer Science/Engineering & Design

Lewis & Clark College - BA
University of Denver - MLIS

At CA Since: 2013
Bio
Allie Bronston, as well as being the Middle School Librarian, teaches a Middle School Computer Science and Innovation class. She helps teachers and students with their iPads and technology lesson planning.
Mr. Rory Butler

Network Administrator

Westwood College of Technology - AA

At CA Since: 1999
Bio
Rory 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 - BA
University of Denver - MA

At CA Since: 2013
Bio
Jonathan Ender handles troubleshooting for most equipment, but is especially helpful with Macs, iPads and Smart Boards. He assists the Network Administrator and Director of Technology with all computer, network, and mobile device management.

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