Lincoln Elementary School
Technology Plan
Technology Plan
Guiding Principles
Technology at Lincoln School is a tool which allows students to enhance literacy in their primary and second language. Computer authoring tools provide a platform for integrating curriculum areas through thematic project-based learning. Exploration and drill software provide a fun and entertaining way to practice reading, writing and math skills. Students write for communication with students and mentors via E-mail. Critical thinking and research skills are developed as students interact with Interactive reading, Social Studies and Science CD Rom, software and the internet. Computer use builds self esteem and self confidence as students work independently using programs and doing projects.We welcome parents as partners in the school. Parent involvement is encouraged. Afterschool parent and child computer workshops are held. Parents in the Waterford computer program are trained to use the books and videos included to enhance their student's learning experience. Lincoln is a community resource.
What technology exists now?
- K-3 classrooms have two Macintosh computers with CD Rom.
- Grade 4-5 classrooms have three Macintosh multimedia computers with CD Rom.
- All classrooms have internet access via cat-3 and- cat 5 wiring
- All the Macintosh computers are linked together via the schoolwide Local Area Network.
- Files are saved to a server and can be accessed from any computer on the network.
- The Library has a mini lab of eight iMac computers with internet connections.
- Almost half of the computers in our school network are Macintosh LC 575 and 580 computers, purchased in 1994.
- Two Power Macintosh computers are locked down to a TV/VCR cart and connected to Full size televisions via s-video to allow teachers to teach whole class lessons using CD Rom and internet technology and to give Software demonstrations.
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Three K/1 classrooms utilize a set of Waterford Computers, a comprehensive reading program for Kindergarten students.
Grade level objectives developed with help from computer assisted instruction
Kindergarten:
- Build hand-eye and small motor coordination through mousework with art tools.
- Number and letter tracking - Muppets on stage, Stickybear Learning, Bailey's Book House
- Number sense - Muppets on Stage, Stickybear Learning, Millie's Math House
- Attributes - Colors, shapes, sorting and grouping: Stickybear learning, Millie's Math Shack, Sammy's Science House.
- Phonics reinforcement, phonemic awareness: Leap into Phonics, Earobics and Bailey's Book House
- Joy of Reading: Living Books.
- First grade objectives:
- Math concept practice
- Phonics and Phonemic awareness
- Publishing class books and slideshows, integrating graphics, text and sound.
- More Joy of Reading and Reading skills: Living Books
Second Grade objectives:
- Introduction to Word Processing: Amazing Writing Machine
- Storybook and Math book creation,
- Math practice, Reading practice
- Communicating with others in the wider world, via e-mail key pals
- Third Grade objectives:
- Using CD Rom for gathering information.
- Internet research - exploration
- Introduction to Hyperstudio for creating presentations.
- Internet and CD Rom Research.
- Using Hyperstudio to create California State History reports .
- Math reinforcement and practice.
- Keyboarding skills to 25 WPM by the end of Fifth Grade: All the Right Type
- Math reinforcement and practice. Math Steps and Sierra Schoolhouse Math
- Hyperstudio/ Mi familia/ My family and United States projects.
- Internet and CD Rom Research
Teacher Computer Use Goal Statement:
At Lincoln school teachers feel comfortable using E-mail to send and receive messages. They use the internet to access lesson plans and do research. They use Clarisworks/Appleworks to create documents, templates, spreadsheets and databases as needed in their classrooms. Teachers have access to computers in their classrooms. Laserwriter printers are available in the teacher work room, and Library. Teachers understand basic troubleshooting on the Macintosh computer, printers and the Local Area Network manager, At-Ease for Workgroups 4.0.
Planning the system:
In Spring of 2001 - A Digital Camera camera was purchased to allow teachers to create computer projects with their classes that integrate photographs and short videos.
In Spring of 2001 the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant, known also as the Urban Garden project, funded purchase of mini lab of iMacs for the library. We will now be able to offer parent computer classes in which parents will build job skills, write resumes, create business cards and search the internet for jobs.
In the year 2001-2002, teachers will use the 8 Macintosh computers in the library in addition to their classroom computers for meaningful projects related to their grade level curriculum. A part time computer resource teacher troubleshoots computers and manages the network.
In Fall of 2001 we will use the Governor's Performance Award we received to purchase a Television and VCR for each classroom. These sets will allow teachers to integrate Instructional television more seamlessly into their lessons. In addition we will purchase a projector that can be used when presenting computer and video projects.
Challenges:
Our older computers are very functional for older CD Rom and educational software. However, the pre Power Mac computers can barely accomodate internet access due to the size of their processor, or due to incompatibility between the OS and the internet browsers we are able to use.
We must decide how long we expect these computers to be useful to us and use them in the lower grades where internet access is not used as much.
Ideally all classrooms would have one computer with high speed internet access and two or more regular computers. This would allow teachers to take advantage of on-line lesson planning and resources.