Computers can be used like finger paint in that they are vehicles for students to feel free to create new ways of looking at ideas.
The Parkland School District goal is to provide elementary students with a variety of technology-related experiences that integrate the technology with instruction. To accomplish this goal, technical applications are taught as part of an existing subject so students understand how technology can be a tool that makes them more productive in any subject area.
The focus of technology education at the elementary level is to develop a technological awareness and to reinforce learning.
The elementary school child with technology experiences shall…
- Explore how people create, use, and control technology.
- Apply knowledge in mathematics, language arts, social studies, science, health, and fine arts in solving problems associated with technology.
- Use tools and materials to explore personal interests with technology.
- Exhibit self-confidence through the use of technology.
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Tips for keeping your child safe online
1 Tell your kids:
- Never share names, schools, ages, phone numbers, or addresses
- Never send pictures to strangers
- Keep passwords private (except to parents)
2 Visit age-appropriate sites. Find sites that promote learning, creativity, and that deepen your kids’ interests. Also check out popular Web sites before your kids visit them. Social networks like MySpace or Facebook are not meant for middle school kids.
3 Minimize chatting with strangers. Tell your kids that people aren’t always who they say they are on the Internet. Anyone can pose as a “buddy of a buddy.” If kids are playing online games, they should be careful not to disclose anything personal.
4 Help kids think critically about what they find online. They need to know everything they see isn’t true. Also use safe search settings for young kids or filtering software. Check browser histories to see where they’ve been.
5 If they wouldn’t do it in real life, they shouldn’t do it online. Don’t say mean things, and no cheating in games or at school.
6 Have some rules about time and place. Set limits on the amount of time kids spend online. Don’t let them Instant Message during homework. Restrict time and sites for online gaming.
7 Agree on downloads. What music is okay? Which video sites? Don’t give your kids your credit card information. If they need to buy something, you should be involved.
8 Talk about privacy. Show kids where privacy settings are on their favorite sites and make sure they use them. Remind kids that when they post something online, they lose control of it. It can be cut and pasted and sent around the Web.
9 Make sure kids know to tell someone – it doesn’t have to be you – if anything suspicious, cruel, or scary happens. They need to know they won’t get in trouble.
10 Be involved and view your own habits carefully. Parents are their role models for safe and smart use. Enjoy the good stuff together!
1 GB full duplex ethernet between all buildings Ratio of students to computers is 2.5:1
- Computer access in every room in all buildings
- 6 computers per regular classroom, one teacher station and 5 student stations. Special Area Rooms for art, music, gifted, learning support vary from 3 to 5 student stations using either a PC or MAC platform. The Library is a mini lab of 8 computers
- The Computer Room is a lab of 30 computers.
Concepts covered include:
- basic operation
- electronic research
- word processing
- desktop publishing
- databases and spreadsheets
- electronic presentation
- computer graphics and multimedia.
In addition to an extensive software library, our students have access to several web-based programs.
Our Video Network is extensive:
Ironton Elementary School has the capability of broadcasting programs from any part of the building for the entire school to watch, and if need be, any of the other 9 schools, staff and students can also watch.
News at Nine-ish is a weekly live-news broadcast staffed by 4th and 5th grade students. Mrs. Miller is teacher advisor for this student group. Mrs. McGrath is available for technical support. Students perform all the positions necessary to provide a well-rounded news show.