Technology

Thomas Forstik, Technology Coordinator & Computer Teacher

Friends School Haverford aims to develop a technology curriculum that builds a comprehensive set of computing skills cumulatively over all grade levels. The curriculum prepares students to use technology effectively as a tool for gathering and presenting information. Friends School endeavors to use technology to empower all students. Learning takes place both in the lab and classrooms and extends beyond the School with the use of the Internet, digital cameras, and laptops.

 The school is committed to using software that encourages student creativity. These titles include Kid Pix, Kidspiration, Inspiration, iMovie, iDVD and Microsoft Office, which includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Students learn proficiency within a particular program, and then learn to apply those skills to theme-based classroom projects. Tux Type is used regularly to develop students’ touch-typing skills. The curriculum not only stresses how to use technology, but also how the technology itself works. The curriculum introduces the workings of computer hardware as well as peripherals such as printers, drives and imaging devices.

In support of using technology as a learning tool, the curriculum develops skills in the following areas:

• Word Processing and Touch Typing
• Spreadsheets and Graphing
• Presentation and Video Production
• Use of Peripherals such as Digital Cameras and Printers
• Internet Research and Information Management

 Because of the scope of its application, presentation software requires a tiered approach, beginning with Kid Pix and moving to Inspiration and finally Microsoft PowerPoint.  Inspiration, a tool for organizing ideas and information, supports projects in all of these areas.  Students learn how to properly conduct research using the World Wide Web. This is an essential skill that is applicable across many areas of the curriculum. The School also recognizes the value of play in the learning process and offers several educational software titles for the classrooms such as Zoombinis and Alphabet Express.

Key to the success of the curriculum is classroom integration. The major initiatives facilitating this goal are the Science laptop program and Team Room technology resources. In science class students use laptops for research, performing experiments, writing lab reports, and creating PowerPoint and video presentations to show their work. In fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, both desktop and laptop computers are available for use in Writing Workshops, Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies. Students have access to technology, such as computers, projectors, SmartBoards, cameras, and video equipment throughout the day in the classroom environment.

Technology Curriculum (PDF Document)