Interactive technologies in the classroom at Zlatarski International School

Interactive technologies in the classroom at Zlatarski School: All classrooms at Zlatarski International School are equipped with interactive whiteboards StarBoard. Integrated in the educational process, new technologies contribute to a more flexible educational environment where students are engaged by the interactive context of lessons.

Students in grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 will be using the digital content from IGCSE Science and IB Science in Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. The software has been developed in the United Kingdom to fully fit the contents of the International Baccalaureate and IGCSE textbooks. With the help of animations, virtual experiments and educational games interactive lessons are going to make lessons in natural sciences and mathematics more engaging.

The software allows for lesson sharing and connecting students and teachers across the globe. In addition to the interactive whiteboards, classrooms are equipped with high resolution projectors and a fast internet connection. This allows students and teachers to use multiple educational resources without interrupting their work in class.

The latest generation graphic calculators Texas Instruments NSpire are now integrated in Mathematics and Science lessons at Zlatarski School. They are required for all students in grades 11 and 12 part of the International Baccalaureate programme at the School. The graphic calculator has a colour display and allows the transfer of data through Wi-Fi. It supports 3D graphs, which picture mathematical operations in a more realistic way. From the 2013/2014 school year work with the graphic calculators start also students in grades 9 and 10 as part of the International GCSE programme.

The laboratory in Physics, Biology and Chemistry is equipped with Vernier Lab Quest data loggers and it complied with international educational standards for laboratory work. The Vernier Lab equipment is fully integrated with the graphic calculators Texas Instruments NSpire and the Interactive Whiteboard StarBoard, which are installed in every classroom at Zlatarski School. Connecting the data loggers to the graphic calculators and the interactive whiteboards allows students to collect data in real time, to analyse them and to display them graphically.

The state of the art multimedia projector in combination of a 5x4m remotely controlled screen allow for presentations in front of large audiences in the school auditorium. The professional sound system and wireless microphones contribute to the organisation of film screenings, concerts and conference calls with students from all over the world.

Software and the online learning platform at Zlatarski School: The new academic year sees the launch of the Online Learning Environment of Zlatarski School, ZIS, which is based on Moodle. It allows for the archiving and reorganisation of all lessons, images and videos used in the classroom. Teachers increasingly use blogs, wikis and Moodle forums in their lessons. Teachers will be able to directly upload their lessons in the online educational platform. This will allow students to revisit the material from their homes, repeat what they learned at school and hence better prepare for their class tests, matura exams and international exams.

The online library EbscoHost allows students access to some of the most up-to-date content in academic journals, magazines, electronic books and newspapers. When writing their assignments or extended essays students can use the school computers or their own laptops or iPads.

Digital educational materials are increasingly used in education at all stages of the learning process. Online education helps teachers to follow the learning curve of every student, their strengths and weaknesses and to determine which parts of the material to emphasize on. Zlatarski School joins the group of international schools, which in addition to high academic standards, place a strong priority on adopting state-of-the-art learning technologies for the classroom and online.