Spectrum International School (SIS) Creates a Holistic Ecosystem for the Future with Google for Education
Janice Wong2024-04-02T17:28:50+08:00Spectrum International School creates a holistic ecosystem for the future with Google for Education
Since 2006, Spectrum International School (SIS) has been working to modernize its education with digital technology. SIS aims to be a school that prepares students for the digital age by equipping them with the right tools in order to aid them in becoming digital citizens. SIS teaches both religious and secular subjects by combining Cambridge International curriculum with the Islamic curriculum of Azhar in Egypt.
“We need to prepare students for jobs that don't yet exist. And part of that is developing particular skills such as digital literacy, “ said Hasan Brown, Principal of Spectrum International School.
Incorporating technology into classrooms is essential to prepare students for the digital world, however it can be challenging, especially if teachers and staff are not tech-savvy. Besides, schools must comply with a wide range of local, state, and federal regulations, including health and safety standards, curriculum requirements, and student privacy laws. Google for Education is designed to be simple and intuitive, allowing teachers and students to have access to the latest technology and to be used effectively in the classroom. The platform is also designed to protect sensitive student information, and it is compliant with a range of privacy regulations, such as the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
Modernization of the Islamic cultural-focused education system
SIS Islamic values are enriched by digitalization of education, with a significant focus on discipline as its core value while also enriching students’ life skills that stay rooted in Islamic beliefs.
The school is dedicated to preparing students for the future, which includes developing their digital literacy skills. In 2016, the school conducted extensive research and tested different options before deciding to adopt Google for Education in 2018.
Aside from prioritizing the importance of digital literacy, SIS also emphasizes integrating a blend of religious and non-religious subjects as part of their curriculum.
“We choose Google for Education because it is easy for everyone to use, cost-effective, and provides a vast library of training and resources for their staff, “ said Osama Yunes, IT and Development Manager of Spectrum International School.
Create an independent and safe learning environment
SIS provides Chromebooks, which are laptops specifically designed for education and powered by ChromeOS, to both students and teachers. With Chromebooks, students can learn and collaborate from anywhere. However, to ensure that students use these devices safely and responsibly, SIS manages them with the Chrome Education Upgrade. This upgrade allows the school’s IT admin to manage access and security in a central and independent manner. IT administrators can easily manage hundreds of devices from any location, enforce rules for safe Internet usage, and control what resources users can access.
Increase in collaboration and productivity with easy-accessible tools
With the help of Chromebooks and Google Workspace for Education, teachers at SIS now have access to a wide range of teaching resources. For example, in the classrooms, they use CS First for primary school students to teach block coding. The school believes it’s essential to ensure that students, teachers, and parents are working in synergy. Previously, physical diaries were used to update parents about their child’s progress, but with Google Workspace for Education, they replaced these physical diaries with ‘Google Diary’ using the Google Classroom platform. This online diary makes it easier for parents and teachers to access information anytime, especially for busy parents. Google for Education helps parents keep track of their children’s school progress and provides tools to help them with their child’s work.
SIS believes that in the future, students, parents, and teachers must work collaboratively. The school is preparing its students for a world without borders, and they believe that schools will have classrooms without walls. With Google for Education, they are creating a holistic ecosystem that will prepare their students for the future.
Google for Education and Chromebooks provide cost-effective, user-friendly solutions to common challenges faced by schools adopting new technologies. By working with PointStar as a technology partner, SIS is able to have easy access to resources, seamless collaboration, and comprehensive technical support to be a leading digital-first education institution in the region.
In the future, students, guardians, and teachers have to work together collaboratively. So we're preparing the students for the world tomorrow, and I believe the schools will have classrooms with or without walls.
Mr. Hasan Brown, Principal, Spectrum International School
Spectrum International School (SIS) is a private international school located in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Founded in 2006 and 2016 in Malaysia, this school has a diverse student body, with students from more than 30 different countries from preschool to secondary levels, and a team of experienced teachers from around the world.
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