SECTION II – OVERALL EDUCATIONAL STRATEGY

The school LAN runs from 2 file servers located in the 507 pod.  Each classroom has at least one computer and access to a centrally located printer and all core subjects have a bank of four computers.  

Students and staff can access all CD’s and software on any workstation.

Students use the computers to do word processing, PowerPoint, databases, spreadsheets, graphing, to do research, to access the Internet, and to use a variety of software and CD’s on the school LAN. 

Staff members use the computers for the above uses, classroom management, grading and district wide communication.

Our school plan includes hooking up LCD projectors and SmartBoards in each teacher’s room.  Teachers will then be able to use computer programs on the school LAN or access the Internet for whole class instruction.

In addition to the 20 computers on the LAN, the Library Media Center (LMC) has six computers on the network that are dedicated to circulation and the library catalog using Destiny Library Software.  There is a multimedia workstation with printer, LCD projector and SmartBoard, with an attached lap top for use in large group presentations, scanner, and digital cameras.  A photocopy machine is available for student and staff use.  Tape recorders/players, flex cam, poster printer and video cameras with tripods are available for staff use.  A 3M security system is used to help curb book losses. 

Computer Instruction Lab:  The focus of the CIL is to prepare Proficient and Advanced sixth grade students for the future by involving them in computer applications.  This is also on the LAN.  Basic keyboard skills are developed using Type to Learn and Mavis Beacon on 37-networked computers.  Students explore word processing, graphics, databases, spreadsheets, publishing software, and multimedia presentations aligned with ELA and Social Science standards.  Students are exposed to the Internet and instructed on proper Netiquette and use of the valuable resources found there.  The lab is equipped with a scanner, a Tektronix printer, VCR, 6 televisions, LCD projector, graphics board, and a scan converter. A digital camera is available for use by students during class projects.

The two 36-station Multimedia Labs are integrated with the school LAN.  These lab, though housed in a separate rooms, are an extension of the classroom.  Teachers sign up and instruct their classes on a ‘first come’ basis.  These labs are equipped with printers and a LCD projector for use in whole class presentations.

The Math Lab is integrated with the school LAN and includes 36 student stations, one clerk, and one teacher computer and 2 printers. The lab is devoted to enhancing the classroom curriculum with instruction using Riverdeep’s Destination Math software.  Curriculum areas used in the Math Lab include correlation to the Sat-9, STAR test, Student Assessment for Targeted Instruction (SAFTI) tests and CA Mathematics Content Standards.  Software includes primary mathematics, fundamental math, middle school math pre-algebra and algebra.  An 8-hour clerk who assists teachers with assignments supervises the lab. 

The Shark TV Studio is a student run daily broadcast consisting of a morning news program broadcast throughout the campus. It is equipped with 1 workstation and 1 broadcast station consisting of a total of 4 monitors and editing VCR’s, a video title maker, 1 sound mixer, a digital video mixer, and 2 video cameras.  The students become competent using various equipment, and at the same time learn the steps involved in video production.  Various projects such as public service announcements, video poems, video essays, school features documentaries, and a video autobiography are completed by students.  Besides learning to communicate using technology, students learn responsibility, basic skills such as reading, writing, speaking, listening, problem solving, self-management, working with a team, and learning to acquire, evaluate, organize, and process information.  The educational purpose of the studio has been expanded to include whole school vocabulary development and CST support.

The Special Education Department at Stiern consists of seven teachers (6 RSP and 1 SH) that serve approximately 140 –170 students.  Software appropriate for these students needs has been adopted and supplied by the district Special Education department.   With the advent of computer generated IEP’s, a copier was purchased for the Special Education Department.

Stiern’s LAN is connected to the district’s WAN through the IT department.  All classrooms, labs, the library, and the office have Internet access.  E-mail accounts are set up for all staff members and they are encouraged to use these for communication.  Students have Internet access, but not e-mail accounts.  Stiern’s web page is hosted by the district and is constantly updated by the Site Network Support Technician.

All media shown in the classrooms follow the district guidelines for supplemental materials. A video distribution system is used to show videos on the TV monitors in the classrooms.  The video distribution system, located in the library workroom, has 14 VCR’s in racks, one computer to run the system, and one computer with VCR to use for streaming messages about daily activities and information in and around Walter Stiern Middle School.  There are two DVD players on carts available for staff checkout.  Teachers request a video to be shown at a specific time by filling out a form.  The media is then scheduled for them.  Teachers can also schedule their own videos from their classroom computer using the video distribution system. The teachers can control the video using their computer; start it, pause it for discussion, stop it, and rewind it.

Cable TV is furnished by Direct TV.  Requests for taping are made by teachers.  Once a segment is taped, the requesting teacher is responsible for previewing and then submitting the video to the principal for final approval.  If the video fits into the curriculum and is age-appropriate, the video is catalogued as part of the library collection. 

All classrooms, labs, the office, and the library have telephones which are used internally for communication.  Classrooms also have outside access for parent contacts.  The library and office also have outside lines. 

Alpha Smarts, which are diskless laptop computers, are checked out to teachers for classroom use and also individually to students.  Students do word processing on these and then upload them to their file on the LAN.  Students need a parent permission slip on file to check one out.  Alpha Smarts are checked out from the library at the end of the day and must be returned the next morning before class.

All students attend an in-service in the library on proper computer behavior and etiquette at the beginning of the school year.  This is also taught by all staff members on an ongoing basis.  Each student must sign a contract on computer use that is kept in the advisory teachers’ classroom. See Appendix Two for School/student/parent/user contract/AUP.  Stiern has adopted an Acceptable Use Policy for Internet use that follows that of the district.  Students and parents sign the AUP and have a teacher sponsor them.  This form is sent home on the first day of school and is to be returned the next day.  When ID Cards are printed for each student in the first week of school, a special Internet Sticker is printed on the ID Card.  Only students with the appropriate sticker on their I.D. cards will be allowed on the Internet. 

Technology Skills Continuum

The following continuum has been designed by staff to reflect the skills the students need.  Since the computer elective has been eliminated at the district level, students will be taught these skills as time permits in the classrooms.  The grade reflects when the skills should be introduced.