Page 12 - Carrollton 2015

Technology

Our objective is to prepare your daughters to be effective learners.
To that end, we believe that the integration o f technology
Into the learning environment is essential.
Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ

Sister Cooke has certainly lived up to her nickname, Sister Technology,
given to her in 1999 when she implemented one of the first laptop
programs in Miami-Dade County. Since then, Sister Cooke introduced
SMART Board technology, Promethean World Interactive Boards,
expanded the laptop program to begin at Fourth Grade, and introduced
the Robotics, Engineering, Vex, FIRST LEG O League and STEM
programs.

Only One year into her tenure as Headmistress, Sister Cooke had
the vision to connect the two campuses via fiber optic cable. Local
telecommunications providers were unsupportive so she' raised the funds,
independently and Carrollton became the first school in Miami-Dade
County with full high-speed wireless capability.

Sister Cooke supported the bold move to update Founders Library s
cataloging system from the Dewey Decimal System, traditionally used
in primary and secondary educational institutions, to the Library of
Congress Classification System. This system is the standard in colleges
and universities, so implementing it at Carrollton helps: graduates make a
smooth transition to higher education.

This past year, Sister Cooke created a dedicated engineering and
innovation studio equipped with, a 3-D printer and NAO robots to
facilitate student-led engineering projects on each campus.

As Headmistress of an institution dedicated to the education of young
women, Sister Cooke ensured the development of a robust technology
program giving students a competitive advantage into what have been
typically male-dominated fields. She has provided a clear opportunity
for graduates to pursue careers in math and science. When asked about
women's future role specific to technology, Sister Cooke describes it
as 'wide: open" for women who: tend to think relationally, mimicking the
interconnectedness of technology..

While. Sister Cooke emphasizes the importance of technological fluency,
she also stresses that "technology can be a great tool for serving those in
greatest need and delivering justice in the world.”