Our SchoolMagnet NewsClassroomsExtras!PTANewsletter Calendar Español |
|
| 600 Ortega Road Raleigh NC, 27609 Phone: (919) 881-4894 Fax: (919) 881-4896 | |
| HomeOur SchoolMagnet NewsClassroomsExtras!PTANewsletter Calendar Español |
Technology The Douglas Technology Team
Technology Education at Douglas We are committed to providing the technology support that will insure that our students are ready for the future. With so much choice, we guide our students to use it responsibly, to enhance their learning. We recognize its potential to motivate and use it to deepen our student’s understanding and creativity. Our students use computers throughout the school, in their classrooms, computer labs, and in the Media Center. Since all of our computers have access to the Internet, we provide a safe and well-monitored environment for their exploration. We not only use technology throughout the core curriculum; we also use it in our specials like music composition, art and PE. But it is not just about the technology, without trained teachers such integration would not work. What makes Douglas a unique magnet school is the integration, the team planning that we all are committed to. And it is this teamwork that becomes the holistic, and multiple intelligence approach that makes technology an integrated part of our school experience.
Our Kindergarten and First Grade classes not only use computers in their classrooms but once a week they use the Main Computer Lab. While there, they use our integrated learning program, Success Maker. This program insures that they get practice in basic skills of math and language. The program keeps track of how each student is doing and assigns appropriate lessons. These students also use Internet educational sites to build core skills. We give them a foundation with the keyboard, mouse and beginning word processing. But most importantly, we want our students to have a strong positive motivation for using the computers. We have some excellent edutainment programs that make learning fun. From Second to Fifth Grade, students use Success Maker on their classroom computers. The Main Computer Lab is used for projects, with Microsoft Office applications. These projects could last for 2 to 5 sessions, depending on the project. By the time our students leave 5th grade, they will be able to use PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Publisher, and Access. Additionally, the Fourth Grade is using audio and video technology to stimulate language creativity. This effort is being led by Mrs. Berry, who is part of our technology team. The Fifth Grade has pooled their classroom computers to create the Fifth Grade Computer Lab. Mr. Moskauski, another member of our technology team, teaches by rotating each fifth grade class through this lab every third week.
Extra Computer Programs at Douglas We offer a Computer Graphics Class before school on Wednesday’s for fourth and fifth graders. This is a creative way to learn technology and art. [link to computergraphics page] Our After-School program uses the computer lab. Once a month K-2 and 3-5 gets a lesson for homework and research support.
Douglas has 171 desktop computers.
Using computers is a wonderful way for you and your child to share some quality time. Do some exploring on the Internet. Find something that interest you both and dig in. But be careful where you go and what you do. The Internet and computer games in general tend to be seductive. Kids can get addicted to mindless games. You should definitely choose the programs you buy and the websites you allow. Make them consistent with your beliefs. Computerland is like the cafeteria; there is plenty of good wholesome things to keep anyone happy and learning something too. Look for edutainment. It’s entertaining and educational. In the later grades, look for simulations. If you are pro-active, you can help your child avoid many pitfalls. Because kids are using the keyboards so early, it’s a good idea to practice typing. We do this at Douglas with Mavis Beacon Typing program. The problem is that if we let them continue “hunting and pecking” by 7th or 8th grade they have a very strong habit that is very hard to break. But you can make a big difference. There are older versions of Mavis Beacon that only cost $10. I recommend you buy it for your child and get her/ him to practice twice a week for 20 minutes each time. It is hard to do that consistent practice here. |
© 2007
Wake County Public School System |