Technology
Educational technology at its best is an indispensable element of what school should be. The Catherine Cook School has invested deeply in innovative uses of the most current technology, blending the latest in hardware and software with a firm grounding in sound pedagogy. Today’s students are digital natives, and our approach to education reflects the realities and needs of living in a computer-linked global society.
For our youngest students, up to grade two, our mobile laptop carts provide the primary workspace for technology-aided instruction. Technology specialists assist classroom teachers to develop curriculum and use the wealth of electronic materials available to supplement classroom learning. Additionally, several Lower School classrooms are equipped with desktop computer workstations to aid in-class instruction.
Throughout the school day in fourth grade, students have access to tablet computers which combine familiar keyboard functionality with handwriting recognition. Students are taught to use the core applications in Microsoft’s Office Suite to present their schoolwork in an appealing and organized manner. Keyboarding skills are also stressed, ensuring that students can type efficiently and effectively prior to the middle grades.
Our third and fourth grade classrooms provide a laptop for each child for work in class (a tablet computer in fourth grade). By fourth grade, students are permitted to use these computers at home for certain assignments.
In middle school (grades 5-8), each student is assigned a tablet computer as part of our one-to-one laptop initiative. These computers are taken home each day, and afford the students all the tools required to complete assignments, to explore, to produce creative and intriguing projects, and to demonstrate deep understanding of curriculum. Students are encouraged to collaborate and to communicate electronically. They are expected to make full use of 21st century tools to become life-long learners, not simply to consume the products of a multi-media centered world.
All classrooms, including those in our Early Childhood classrooms, are equipped with interactive white boards. These flexible teaching tools take the place of traditional chalkboards and allow teachers to present interactive lessons linked to the Internet and to student laptop screens. A collection of digital cameras, video cameras, computer microscopes, outstanding software applications, and many other tools are available to teachers and students to help them more fully engage with and understand the world in which we live.
Our CCS Technology Team:
Bill Mierisch, Director of Technology
Justin Sheehan, Educational Technology Specialist
Andrew Beights, Educational Technology Specialist
Phil Davis, Administrative Assistant
