Technology
All students in grades 4 – 8 are assigned a lap top computer for the school year. The primary use of computers is for word processing, internet research, foreign language study, key board practice, and a variety of art and power point presentations. Each semester the 4 – 8 grade students create a 5 – 20 page illustrated book of their best writing. The use of laptops has proven to be a substantial help in improving student editing skills and their willingness to rewrite and modify their writing.
The following is a list of technology skills that each student masters by the time they complete middle school:
Identify and use the functions in word processing utilities including spell checker, electronic thesaurus and word counter
Understand the need for protection of software and hardware from computer viruses
Discriminate between ethical and unethical access to information stored on computers, servers, and the Internet
Identify terms related to computer-generated production (i.e. desktop publishing, clip art, hypertext, URL, multimedia, CD-ROM, scanners, camcorders)
Demonstrate effective use of Internet search skills including a variety of search engines and prioritizing queries
Correctly use the terms web site, search engine, and online database
Demonstrate an understanding of the evaluation of validity of materials obtained from the Internet
Identify the information necessary for a complete source citation (author, title, URL, date accessed, date of last revision)
Demonstrate basic functions of using electronic mail including attachments
Understand the need to protect personal information from electronic access
Understand and use safe practices when using communication devices
