Apple Technology
@ Clerc Center
The Deaf community has always had a deep relationship with Apple products due to their built-in accessibility features and Apple’s amazing FaceTime app allowing for direct ASL communication.
The Clerc Center, the nation’s leading Deaf school charged by Congress with finding innovative ways to reframe Deaf education, adopted Apple products for learning before and during the pandemic.
When we had to choose schoolwide technology, our teachers voted overwhelmingly in favor of adopting an Apple approach to learning, with an iPad learning kit distributed to each student and an Apple kit including a MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Apple Pencil for each teacher.
In the process we discovered ways to enhance communication, personal accountability, and restructure classroom instruction to improve outcomes for all students.
How We’re Using Apple
Technology to Learn
A New STEAM Curriculum
Learn how we’ve adopted and incorporated STEAM into our curriculum at the Clerc Center with STEAM Master Teacher Jill Naumann.
Assessing Student Achievement
See how the use of technology and data in the classroom positively impacts student achievement with Assessment Coordinator Maria Brecheen.
Connecting with Families
Get a glimpse into how we’ve enabled greater connection with families through technology with Family Education Manager Tara Miles.
Creating New Forms of Art
Look at how new forms of art and artistic expression are now possible through technology with Art Teacher Christine Parrotte.
Incorporating Online Learning
Find out how we’ve expanded our educational reach through online learning with Coordinator of Instructional Support Emily Schreiner.
Enabling a Visual-Tactile Learning Paradigm Through Technology
We at the Clerc Center aim to develop a whole student approach that is rooted in a bilingual approach with American Sign Language and English as foundational languages that are applied in a variety of subject matter contexts. Our focus is rooted in visual-tactile approaches that feature face-to-face interaction and production of visual texts such as American Sign Language videos or written English. ASL-English bilingual development has flourished in an electronics-rich environment, due to the ability to capture sign language on video and create media-rich digital texts with both languages existing alongside one another. The inclusion of multiple languages as well as accessibility features (a big focus of Apple’s), allows for the creation of materials that students and their families can both access readily.
More Information & News
- View our application to become an Apple Distinguished School (PDF)
- News: Gallaudet’s multifaceted partnership with Apple
- Resource: Apple Maps: Schools & programs for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Link: Apple in K12 Education
- Link: Apple Education Community for professional learning
