Technology

Revised August, 2007

We use Macintosh and Windows computers in labs, in classroom learning stations, and in the media centers. A T-1 line is used for access to electronic mail, local libraries, and the Internet, including the use of subscription databases. The school is connected by a campus-wide network that gives access to the Internet and electronic mail from every classroom and office. Our primary goal is to develop uses for technology at all grade levels so that students use technology as a tool in their learning in a variety of subject areas and environments.

Students in the elementary grades use tutorial programs in math, spelling, word recognition, reading comprehension, science, and social studies. Programs to develop logic/thinking skills are used extensively.  The use of the word processor contributes substantially to the success of creative writing classes.  Several classes publish a newsletter and student created books. The elementary school has adopted a technology skills list by grade level to insure the regular use of technology by students and teachers.

Students in the high school use technology to aid learning in many areas. In physics and in chemistry, simulation programs allow students to explore interactions and situations impossible to duplicate in a laboratory. Laboratory tool kits and probes in conjunction with laptops are being used. We offer optional classes and independent studies in programming and other advanced skills including HTML, web page design, robotics, Maya, and Photoshop. Junior high and high school students also use instructional programs in language arts, social studies, French and Spanish, and mathematics.  Music and art classes are often technology based.  The school newspaper and yearbook are published using Macintosh computers and desktop publishing software. Creative writing and writing workshop classes are held in computer labs. Foreign language classes regularly use the Internet for researching newspapers and other materials published in the language of study. Our card catalog and circulation are automated. The junior high and high school have developed a list of technology skills for students. We are also investigating the use of student laptop computers to support learning disabled students. Research projects are created in traditional and multimedia formats; digital cameras and camcorders contribute to the projects.

In the summer of 2000, we expanded our network to include wireless base stations and initiated a pilot project with laptops being used by teachers in all areas of the school. The project has expanded to include 90% of the faculty. We are evaluating the impact of the laptops on the technology skill level of teachers and any changes in the use of technology by these teachers with students.

Technology also supports the administration and contributes to the positive community atmosphere at Paideia. Significant contributions to meeting our administrative/community goals are accomplished using:

• The Paideia Website: Our website is seen as our communication link within our campus and community. Some of the features include a weekly updated electronic newsletter page.
• First Class: The First Class mail program supports e-mail, news folders, personal and group calendars, and on-campus real-time chats. Faculty and staff members have full mail accounts and junior high and high school students have intranet accounts.  Parents also have limited mail accounts that are primarily used for message delivery.
• FileMaker: This relational database has simplified and greatly improved emergency records, alumni information, and our parent skills lists.
• Handhelds: PDAs interface with databases to provide administrators, teachers, and coaches access to student information anytime, anywhere.
• PowerSchool:  PowerSchool has centralized school wide information into one database making the data accessible to a much wider range of faculty and staff members and facilitating corrections being made real time.  Information in over ten different databases have been consolidated into this one database.
• Promethean ActivBoards:  Teachers in all areas of the school are finding these interactive boards improve collaboration and enhance instruction in numerous ways.

While many uses of technology at Paideia are similar to those being developed at other schools, our program has evolved some special characteristics which we value.

• Cross-Age Teaching: Opportunities abound in this K-12 setting to cross-age teach, utilizing the expertise of the student population.
• Technology Assistants: Student Assistants volunteer their time to assist our program in a number of ways. The technology center is often in full operation without an adult present. Empowering students in this way has fostered a community spirit and set a tone of responsibility and respect.
• Ethics: By example and teaching, a clear policy on honoring copyright laws is maintained.
• Equity: Our program aggressively attacks the problem of female students self-selecting themselves out of technology. An article, "Why No Girls?" (links to article in technology section of the Parents area), which details some of our strategies for breaking the sexual stereotype, has been published in Computer Using Educators and was originally reprinted by the International Society for Technology in Education. The article continues to be featured in professional publications on a regular basis.
• Adult Participation: Parents with an interest and an expertise in technology volunteer in the classrooms and serve as informal sounding boards for the curriculum. In past years, numerous parents have taught individual and small group classes, assisted with the web page, and provided technical assistance.
• Software Evaluation and Development: Our teachers and students are constantly evaluating and helping to field test new programs. Appropriate, high quality programs are added to our substantial software library. Programs are cataloged by subject and by recommended age level; click here to view the latest list. (links to article in technology section of the Parents area),  The results of our evaluations are frequently published in periodicals.
• Sharing of Information: The sharing of ideas, successes and mistakes is important. We are cooperating with other schools in efforts to learn from each other and to help schools in all stages of developing and implementing a technology plan. Our efforts include visits to other schools and participation in numerous conferences, professional organizations, teacher workshops, and informal sharing sessions. Paideia was a co-founder of the Atlanta Area Technology Educators users group. The school also reaches out to the community through classes for parents, faculty, and area educators. Paideia serves as a preview center for teachers. We have been a Beta site for certain software developers and serve on numerous advisory boards.

Technology is a powerful instructional medium and today's students must be educated to use these tools. At Paideia students use technology to supplement instruction from teachers and to explore new areas of information. By encouraging independent use, we help develop the attitude that technology is a tool for learning available to all students and under their control. As students learn to use technology, they gain confidence in their ability to think and to learn, a primary goal of education.

Kathryn S. Bailey
Director of Technology