The goal of the technology program at Blue Oak School is to integrate developmentally appropriate technology skills into all areas of the curriculum.
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Technology is integrated into virtually every subject at every grade level at Blue Oak School. In the Lower School, students have access to individual AlphaSmart keybords for typing practice and word processing. In addition, each classroom has a number of networked desktop computers for access to the Internet and the production of graphics and presentations using specialized curriculum software.
The wireless network in the Middle School supports the "one-to-one" laptop program, through which each student is assigned a laptop for use during his or her tenure at the School. Students use their laptops in every curriculum area to do online research as well as to produce sophisticated written documents, brochures and presentations. Elective classes in topics such as computer programming, web pages and yearbook production are offered each year for students wishing to further pursue their interest in computer-related subjects.
At all levels, students learn to be skillful producers of information, using various technology tools to communicate, illustrate and solve problems. Students also learn to be thoughtful and responsible consumers of information by learning to access, evaluate and appropriately use information from online sources. All skills are meant to be cumulative; that is, the skills learned in one grade level will be used again as students progress through higher grades.
Technology in the Lower School
Lower School students have shared access to computers in their classrooms and the Lower School library. An introduction to technology begins in kindergarten and first grade as children learn to identify parts of a computer, manipulate a keyboard and mouse and become familiar with the basics of opening, saving and closing files.
In second and third grades, students begin to learn proper keyboarding techniques and produce word-processed documents that include simple formatting. With assistance, students begin including graphics in written documents and use teacher-selected online resources to do research in a specific subject area.
In fourth and fifth grades, students address basic issues related to the responsible and ethical use of technology and are educated about the consequences of inappropriate use. Students become more proficient at keyboarding, manage files (with fifth graders saving files to individual folders on the School’s server), use word processing software to format written documents and employ graphics programs to create more complex original illustrations. Students also begin to independently use the Internet and online databases to do research and develop proficiency in the use of online library catalogs (both the School’s and that of the local library) to search for materials and online resources.
Technology in the Middle School
The Blue Oak Middle School provides each of its incoming students with a laptop computer for use during their tenure at the School. The Middle School campus is equipped with wireless Internet access, which allows for optimum accessibility and usage.
Beginning in sixth grade and continuing through seventh and eighth grades, students continue their education in the ethical and responsible use of technology. They are responsible for adhering to the School’s Acceptable Use Policy and understand the personal and academic consequences of inappropriate use.
In the Middle School technology skills and applications expand. Students become responsible for managing files, protecting personal passwords and communicating with teachers and other students through email.
Building on past knowledge, students begin producing complex documents that include word processing, tables and graphics, as well as spreadsheets to enter and manipulate data and produce charts and graphs. Use of the Internet and online databases for intensive research purposes is expanded at the Middle School level. Presentation softwares such as PowerPoint and peripheral devices such as digital cameras, scanners and color printers are used by students to produce multimedia presentations. In eighth grade, students have the opportunity to utilize their accumulated technology skills and knowledge as they integrate more sophisticated software, including music and movie making software, into their multimedia Capstone Project presentations.