St. Michael's Parish

New for Fall 2012 is the introduction of iPad technology in the classroom at St. Michael's!  All 7th and 8th graders will be given an iPad for their individual use to enhance learning. Our 5th and 6th graders will also have access to an iPad through " iPad banks" that will be housed in their classrooms. Over the past several months, our junior high teachers have been involved in extensive research and training to learn more about the iPad and available educational apps, as well as how to effectively incorporate the iPad into their course curriculum. St. Michael Parish School is committed to keeping pace with the latest educational technologiesand to giving our students the tools they need to be successful. We look forward to expanding our iPad program to other grade levels in the near future.

St. Michael’s also has a local area network with wired network access throughout the building. All networked computers were replaced with new computers in Summer 2009. At least one networked computer is located in each of the 23 classrooms. Additional networked classroom workstations are located in a first grade classroom for student use (2 computers), in a third grade classroom for use with a reading program, and in an eighth grade classroom for use by the SMPS Student News Team. Standalone work stations are also available in each classroom for student use.

Our multi-purpose Computer Lab has 30 networked computers available for individual student and class use. K-8 classes typically meet in the Lab a minimum of once per week to work on various assigned projects. Lab activities are designed to reinforce current classroom subject material and to fulfill the 21st Century Learning Skills and Technology Tools Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools.

Interactive SMART Boards are permanently installed in all TK-8 classrooms along with ceiling mounted projectors. By next year, both preschool classrooms will also have SMART Board technology installed.



 

Technology Programs in Use:

• techSTEPS: An online 21st Century teaching tool that gives teachers a variety of student computer projects from which to choose that support the critical concepts they teach in math, science, language arts, and social studies.
• TechnoKids: a K-8 technology curriculum using Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Paint, Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Office Picture Manager to integrate technology skills utilizing a project-based approach. Each class completes at least one pre-designated project during the school year.
• UnitedStreaming: An online streaming video service maintained by Discovery Education, provides our teachers with online access to topic-specific full-length videos and video clips to supplement classroom instruction.