Our Online Learning Platform

In the year 2015-2016, Bahrain Bayan School received a Google Education license that enabled the school to use Google applications and features such as unlimited online storage and numerous free apps, which included Google Classroom an online learning platform that allows direct teacher-student communication inside and outside the classroom and improved collaboration among students. The switch from Moodle to Google Classroom was official for the 2016-2017 school year.

Apps, Websites, and Other Software

Apps and other software have been used for in class exercises and feedback. Quick assessments are important to identify student levels and help teachers assign differentiated tasks to target each student level. A number of apps, websites and other software have been used for this purpose giving teachers the ability to achieve differentiation and quick assessments on student levels of understanding,  this has completely changed the learning environment and has successfully improved student achievement.

Powerschool

All student data are digitized through (PowerSchool). Teachers access student records for period-wise attendance, tardiness and grades. These records are published daily to a Parent Portal accessible to parents using a secure system. Flags are enabled for parents when grade levels go down and many other features allow this data management software to be useful for faculty, students and parents alike.

Bahrain Bayan School is one of the few schools in Bahrain with such technological advancements and our faculty is committed to providing our students with technology-integrated, immersive, 21st century learning.

iPads

The type of devices introduced at each level have been carefully chosen. Preschool and Primary school have been using iPads. Teachers have access to an unquantifiable amount of educational apps, content and material for all areas of learning from kindergarten through grade 5 , in order to maximize the potential of the iPad program as a collaborative teaching tool. In line with that, the primary computer lab is equipped with iMacs that complete the Apple iOS experience.

BYOL “Bring Your Own Laptop”

BYOL was introduced in our Secondary School program where grades 6-12 students are encouraged to bring personal laptops to enhance student learning. Both Microsoft and Apple platforms were accepted. This move was very important to the online-learning platform introduction, and students were expected to have a laptop available at all times for in class online assignments and assessments. In addition to that, each student has been given a school email account through Gmail that provided them access to Google Drive with unlimited online storage, and enabled them to share and collaborate files and folders using Google Apps such as Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms in real-time.

Tablet Program

In 2015, the tablet program was introduced to 6th grade; where students were given school tablets fully equipped with software and a dashboard linked to  their accounts and digital textbooks. This was another form of support from the school to develop the BYOL culture and familiarize students with the concept and its necessity.

In Class devices

All of our classes are equipped with an interactive white boards, projectors, sound systems,  and a dock for the teacher's laptops. This allows free mobility for teachers to move between classrooms with full connection and access to their own material.

Bahrain Bayan School is one of the few schools in Bahrain with such technological advancements, in which our faculty is committed to providing our students with tech-integrated lessons, we are committed to 21st century learning.

Bayan School introduced the Robotics program in 2013 making it the first school in the country to integrate robotics into the curriculum. The robotics curriculum now extends from grade 3 through 12.The completion of the first dedicated robotics lab in 2016 was a big milestone for this signature program. 

The LEGO MINDSTORM Curriculum is an introduction to STEM and Robotics. Designed as an interactive approach to Applied Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, this course allows students to become familiar with the basics of robotics and programming through teamwork.

The focus of the curriculum is to seamlessly integrate the interdependent disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) into a focused and stimulating real-world relevant Robotics curriculum. Also embedded are engineering (mechanical, electrical, & software), design, innovation, communications, group collaboration, critical thinking skills, and knowledge relevant for continued success.

The Bahrain Bayan School Senior, Junior and Elementary WRO teams have taken part in many local and international tournaments like the WRO Friendship Tournament that took place in Aarhus, Denmark; WRO Tournament in Thailand, India and Costa Rica. The school’s team have consistently performed well and were placed in the top three positions on many occasions. This year, the WRO Elementary team was placed 1st in their category and will be representing the Kingdom of Bahrain at the international level in Turkey in November 2024.

The robotics program is also provided as an Afterschool Activity where students benefit from additional learning opportunities to further develop their interest and experience. This afterschool program also serves as the basis of their WRO preparations where the students actively participate to enhance their chances at achieving top positions in the competition.
 

Bahrain Bayan School students annually participate in the World Robot Olympiad, this event which combines the Science, Technology and Mathematics subjects to allow students to build a holistic understanding of knowledge. This educational competition brings together young students from all over the world to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills through challenging and educational robotics competitions. In addition, our exceptional robotic laboratory has aided in the learning and building of the student skills.

Since our participation in the completion we have built strong teams and developed student knowledge, reasoning and building skills. For that in the past two consecutive years BBS Robotics team have won several different awards. 

Winning categories 2016:
- Elementary Category (3rd place) – Regular category  / Salman Al Khalifa, Omar Kameshki, and Bandar Al Khayyar) 
- Junior Category (3rd place) - (Salman Awach, and Salman Alsekri)
- HS Category -  Best Mechanism Robot Award - (Zain Albastaki, Zaid Alsekri, and Farah Ramadan) 
- High School Senior Category – 1st place - (Omar Chehab, Salem Alnahdi, and Fatima Janahi) 

This led us to participate in the international finals WRO in India. This was an exceptional experience as the students were exposed to meeting other teams from around the world. Students were able to build skills such as team work, commitment, time management and creativity. 

Winning categories 2017:
- Elementary Category (1st place) – Regular category  / (May Al Khalifa, Kinda Chehab, and Hussain Kalawadh) 
- Elementary Category (2nd place) – Regular category  / (Aws Zaman, Omar Kameshki, and Zain Al Hashimi) 
- Junior Category (2nd place) – Regular category  /  (Sarayah AlSaffar, Jumana Kalawadh, and Mansoor AlMansoori)

We had the chance to participate in the international finals WRO, in Costa Rica. Fortunately, we have a higher chance of winning as we have 3 teams participating for 2017, compared to 2016.

 Winning categories 2018:
- Elementary Category (1st place) – Regular category  / (Ali AlJishi, Mohammed AlRaees, Noora Yousif) 
- Elementary Category (2nd place) – Regular category  / (Mohammed Akbari, Celine Ghattas, Ali AlMaraghi) 

 Winning categories 2019:
- Elementary Category (1st place) – Regular category  
- Elementary Category (2nd place) – Regular category 
- Elementary Category (3rd place) – Regular category
- Junior Category (1st  place) – Regular category  / (May Al Khalifa, Kinda Chehab, Mohammed Al Noaimi)

World Robotics Olympiad Invitational Tournament (WROFIT) 
For the first time at Bahrain Bayan School, the middle and high school WRO teams took part in the summer WRO Friendship Tournament in Denmark. WRO Friendship Invitational offers all age groups in both Open and Regular to work with the 2019 challenge “Smart cities”. Around 140 teams attended the Friendship Invitational Tournament from around the world who participated in the competition. The elementary team made it at number 14 amongst the other teams. Bayan teams worked tirelessly and showed their quality which has impressed everyone in the tournament, in the second day of the competition the organizers changed the challenge completely to test the team’s abilities, Bayan teams did really well at that. I am personally proud of each member in the Bayan teams for their work ethics, sportsmanship and dedication. Ms. Thushara and I were really happy to see the students learning more, networking with other students and handling the competition pressure really well. 
The following passage is a reflection from Yusuf Almemar, A member of the Bayan Senior team. 
Recently, my peers and I took a trip to Denmark under the supervision of the robotics club staff. The stay would be for 5 days and we were going to compete in an international friendly hosted by the World Robot Olympiad association. At first, the whole ordeal seemed nerve racking, especially considering the fact that we were going up against seasoned robotics members who had every intention of winning, while we ourselves were underprepared. However once we got there, we realized that the event was created for the purpose of educating and entertaining those with a passion for robotics and give them a place where they can do what they enjoy. Every single day that passed by was eventful and filled with learning experiences as we got to interact with robotics members from many nations, all of whom have their own distinctive ideas and methods that set them apart from the rest. We gained so much knowledge that we can apply in our own competitions here in Bahrain, as well as future international competitions. All in all, this trip was one I will cherish and remember, as it strengthened the bonds between team members, allowed us to experience the unique ideas of other teams, make new friends and above all, gave us an exciting and unforgettable experience. 

 Winning categories 2020 (Virtual Worldwide):
4th Place Internationally - (Ali Al Jishi)

 Winning categories 2021:
- Elementary Category (2nd place) – Regular category 
- Elementary Category (3rd place) – Regular category
- Junior Category (3rd  place) – Regular category  / (Ali Al Jishi, Zain Alrayes, Abdulla Al Thawadhi) 

Winning categories 2024:
- Elementary Category (1st place) – Regular category  (Jad Makki, Joy Carlos and Rakan Janahi)

Technology is ever changing and our needs continue to change as well. Allignment of emerging technologies with new needs requires a continuous plan to expose, develop, learn, and train. 

ASB Unplugged Mumbai

ASB unplugged is one of the strongest forums that bring leaders in education together providing a hub of ideas, support, and training unmatched anywhere in the world. Through the strong support of the Proffesional development coordinator, Bayan has been able to participate every year since 2014 with a growing number of faculty and staff participants. 

Professional Developments Sessions

Throughout the year, the I.T. Department has been organizing countless training and informational sessions with the support of the Professional development coordinator to help and support faculty and staff with the emerging and newly required  classroom technologies. Ranging from group sessions, 1:1 sessions, documents, and video, which is available for this purpose.

This Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is designed to describe how Bahrain Bayan School expects the technology to be used. Students violating this policy may suffer disciplinary action including but not limited to the loss of privileges relating to the use of technology in the school as described in the Student School Policy Employee violations of this policy may result in disciplinary actions up to and including probation or dismissal. During the course of the school year, additional rules regarding Internet safety may be added to address emerging technologies. Any such rules will become part of this Acceptable Use Policy.

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