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Digital tools change lives at Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc School
Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc elementary school, in Montreal’s east end, welcomes more than 300 students, many of whom are in one of 7 classes for young people with language or learning difficulties. In 2022, the ITI Foundation offered its support to the school located in a disadvantaged area to implement technological tools to promote the success of all students, especially young people with learning difficulties.
Before the contribution of the ITI Foundation, the AMPLI (specialized in language) and DGA (severe learning difficulty) classes shared one or two computers for about twenty students . Now, every student has access to a digital workstation equipped with software like Lexibar and WordQ, which are essential for their students to overcome their learning difficulties. This way, the whole class can be at work at the same time, which greatly facilitates the teacher’s work.
These new digital tools have literally changed the life of our school. On the one hand, our students have the necessary tools to move forward. On the other hand, our teachers are really equipped to help their students progress towards success.
There are success stories. Every year since the arrival of digital devices, 1 to 2 young people change their trajectory: they manage to join regular classes, thanks to digital tools that support them in the face of their dyslexia, dysorthography or language difficulties.
A student who experiences success is more motivated and more invested, because he feels competent. Above all, this is what technology allows our young people to achieve: to experience success, thanks to technological tools that overcome their difficulties.
Experiencing successes, a bulwark against dropping out
Ms. Forgues is categorical: the successes that young people experience thanks to digital tools put them on the road to success in their academic career. Not only are they already used to working with the software they need, but they know they’re capable of success.
By joining a regular class in elementary school, the student gets back on the highway before reaching high school. For a young person with learning difficulties, being in a regular process is a protective factor against dropping out of school.
Also: a learning hub to stimulate interest in technologies
The ITI Foundation’s support for the school also included various technological tools so that all students could experiment with IT. In this “library 2.0”, young people can use digital tablets, small robots, programming software and filming equipment with a green screen.
Our school has created its own laboratory for experimenting with technology. One of our teachers has been trained to support our other teachers in the integration of digital tools. Proof that it’s working: last year, AMPLI undergraduate students living with language disorders conducted mini-interviews in front of the camera, which earned them a Dare to Undertake award. Our entire team is mobilized to help our students succeed, and digital tools are a great tool to inspire and motivate them. The ITI Foundation gave us the boost that was missing.
