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Technology Program
Villa Maria Elementary School has two computer labs. Each one has 24 Apple computers. The third floor lab is open for teachers to sign out so they can take their classes in to use the computer outside of regularly scheduled computer class time. When the second floor teaching lab is not in use teachers may also bring their classes in and use that lab. In addition, each classroom has at least one computer and printer. The teaching lab has a set of 10 Canon digital cameras that students use to create and document a variety of projects.
Students from Kindergarten to Grade 7 have a regularly scheduled 30 to 45 minute computer class once a week. The topics covered are in line with the Diocesean Technology Curriculum. Whenever possible, the skills the students are learning in their computer class are tied to topics they are learning in other curriculum areas.
Below are just some of the topics that are covered at each grade level.
KINDERGARTEN:
The main goal of the Computer in Kindergarten is to familiarize students with the computer, especially with how to use the mouse. Their computer time is spent on several websites that teach and reinforce skills being worked on in the regular classroom. They also use the KidPix program to explore artistic uses of the computer.
GRADE ONE:
In first grade students work on basic keyboard skills. They continue to use a variety of websites to reinforce skills in various subject areas. They begin to write sentences at the computer and to print out some of their work.
GRADE TWO:
In second grade students are introduced to a simple electronic dictionary, as well as online tools to aid in studying spelling. They work more on sentences and formating fonts. This is still done in KidPix.
GRADE THREE:
Third grade students are introduced to an actual word processing program - Appleworks. They type sentences and paragraphs and learn to add clip art to their documents. They are directed to specific websites to help guide their beginning online research.
GRADE FOUR:
Fourth grade begins using the Type to Learn 3 program, a structured program of 25 lessons that teaches basic keyboard skills. Lessons/work in this program continues throughout the following grades. Students also continue to develop their word processing skills, producing single and multi-paragraph documents. They develop skills that will help them to find information on the internet.
GRADES FIVE and SIX:
In fifth and sixth grades students continue to develop skills from previous levels. They learn how to evaluate websites and the information they contain. They create longer documents, and more of a variety, in word processing (newsletters, brochures, etc.) They use spreadsheets to create graphs and learn how to put simple formulas into spreadsheets to perform calculations. They use digital cameras and appropriate software for some of their projects.
GRADES SEVEN and EIGHT:
At this level students learn to use Microsoft Word and Excel, along with the Appleworks they have been using. Technology becomes much more integrated into their daily classwork. They type most of their papers and should be proficient at creating graphs. They use the Larson Math program and do a large part of their PJAS project on the computer (research, typing reports, graphing results, etc.) Students are introduced to and use collaborative tools such as Google Docs.
Students at all levels are taught age-appropriate vocabulary related to technology and its use. Each year the issue of online safety is addressed, keyboard skills are practiced and reinforced, and projects suggested by homeroom teachers to integrate technology into their curriculum are implemented.
As new tools and technologies become available they are evaluated and integrated into our curriculum in appropriate ways. With the advancement of Web 2.0, we are moving toward using more online, collaborative tools. Digital imaging is being used more frequently, and we are learning to create projects that will be able to be shared with others via the internet.
