Tom Smith, Director of Information Technology September 2005
At Park, there is no school subject named "computers". We use computers as an integral part of the regular curriculum. Students gather and evaluate information, and produce works (like stories, essays, research papers, graphs, posters, slide shows, art, web pages, etc.) with computers. Computers are also used as teaching tools which simulate complex systems that are otherwise impossible to experience. Sometimes students use computers to practice skills via educational games. Students also use computers to communicate via e-mail and the world wide web. It is a role of the Technology Department to encourage and support the faculty as they use computers in their classrooms. All teachers participate in our Faculty Initiative with Technology (FIT), a yearlong professional development opportunity which includes a laptop computer, software, and instruction to make best use of technology for teaching, learning, and to enhance professional practice.
The major productivity application we use is Appleworks. Many other programs are used throughout the school, depending upon the curriculum. We have licensed AppleWorks so parents can install it on home computers to facilitate home-school computing.
We have many Macintosh computers for students and faculty (student:computer ratio is roughly 2:1). They are located in classrooms, three computer labs, four mobile laptop computer carts, the library, learning specialists, and faculty offices. Additional equipment includes laser printers, scanners, digital cameras, and various other items. The library and administration use a combination of Microsoft Windows and Macintosh computers.
We do not require students to have computers at home, however most do. As students enter grade 5, an increasing amount of word processing is required outside of class. Both Macintosh and Microsoft Windows computers are good student computers for home. Loaners available for students whose families cannot afford home computers.
Our school wide network supports fileservers for students and teachers to store their computer files, our school e-mail system and electronic bulletin board known as Park OnLine, a web server, and various other network services.
Students and teachers may browse the world wide web via our high-speed Internet connection. Our school web page (www.parkschool.org) provides access to library resources, the Park OnLine bulletin board (including student fileservers), and various other educational resources. Our Internet connection is monitored and we have a "web filter" installed on all computers.
All faculty, staff, and upper school students (grades 6 through 9) have e-mail accounts with Park OnLine. Parents can also sign up for a free Park OnLine account, which provides access to internal school information via the Internet. We can connect to Park OnLine via school computers, or from home. Whereas the school web site is our public electronic information source, is our internal communication and electronic bulletin board. Students should install the free Park OnLine software at home to facilitate transfer of school work between home and school.
