Technology

The computer curriculum at Meadowbrook School centers around the individual needs of each grade.

The kindergarten classes are exposed to the computers through software and teacher led activities. First, second, and third grades use the computers to perfect their writing skills. They add artwork they create using one of several graphic programs we have in the lab.

The Meadowbrook School believes that the technology curriculum should be an integrated, interdisciplinary program that is effective, challenging, and engaging.

We have an intranet within the school linking all of the machines to a common server. We also have access to the Internet from every machine in the school. Students in grades kindergarten through third access the Internet only with teacher guidance, where the teacher is the only one specifying the web site. Students in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades utilize the Internet for various projects in the classroom. Searching skills, Internet safety, and etiquette are taught before the student can use the information. Students also learn to critique web sites. They learn to check for the reliability and validity of web sites and the information on them. Safety software is in place and students are monitored while on the Internet. Students in fourth and fifth grades visit pre-approved sites, while the students in the sixth grade use their search skills to surf the web for the information they are seeking.

Typing skills are also taught and reinforced in all grades, along with many software packages that are used to reinforce the classroom curriculum. Students also learn to use multimedia software to create presentations with the information gathered.

The computers at Meadowbrook School are used to reinforce and supplement what is learned in the classroom. Every classroom has one or two computers. The computer lab consists of sixteen computers. Class size is a maximum of 16 students. Classes attend the computer lab thirty minutes to one hour at a time. This allows each student to have use of a single computer.

Meadowbrook has a wide range of software programs available to the teachers and the students. Word processing, databases, graphics, multimedia, interactive storybooks, various subject informational guides, networked encyclopedia, and school library card catalog can all be accessed in the individual classrooms.

Philosophy

The Meadowbrook School believes that the technology curriculum should be an integrated, interdisciplinary program that is effective, challenging, and engaging.Access to current technology is a powerful tool for research and communication. In addition, the skillful, responsible, and ethical use of technology is a defining characteristic of success for the 21st century

Goals

There are five main goals of the technology curriculum. They are:

  1. Basic operations and concepts include the most fundamental steps of booting up a computer through concepts for which any individual child is prepared to explore.
  2. Social, ethical and human issues are spiraled throughout the technology curriculum.
  3. Technological productivity tools are used in an age-appropriate manner to produce a document, research paper, or a classroom presentation.
  4. Technological communication tools are used in a simplified way for younger children and a more sophisticated manner for older children.
  5. Technological research tools are age-appropriate available including the Internet which requires monitoring by teachers and parental knowledge and permission.