Technology in the Lower School

Recognizing that technology is increasingly used in Lower School classroms and that technology literacy is an important element in our students' educational experience, students from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade, receive technology instruction, including age-appropriate discussions about stewardship and being a confident and responsible technology user.  For students in grades K-2, emphasis is on developing basic computing skills using a variety of activities which support the classroom curriculum.  While keyboarding is a key area of focus in 3rd Grade, all students in grades 3-5, continue to develop and expand their computing skills, moving from basic skills to more sophisticated skills, including file management and multimedia.

Network/Technology Acceptable Use Policy

Within the Penn Charter community, the Network/Technology Acceptable Use policy (AUP) provides the framework for technology instruction and use, particularly as students become increasingly more independent and collaborative technology users.  Based on Quaker values (including honesty, responsibility, community, respect, stewardship), the AUP outlines the expectations and responsibilities for using Penn Charter technology resources.  The full policy can be found online in the Educational Technology section of the Penn Charter website. For Lower School students, the AUP has been rephrased in a Technology Use Contract with age-appropriate language outlining technology use expectations and responsibilities.

While all Lower School student use of technology is supervised, we expect students in Grades 3-5 to begin developing an understanding of their responsibilities when using technology.  The Lower School Technology Use Contract  must be signed by each Third, Fourth, or Fifth grade student  and his/her parent/guardian  before the child will be allowed to use any technology at Penn Charter. 

If you have questions about the use of technology in Lower School or the Technology Use Contract, please contact Vicki Miles, Lower School Technology Coordinator (vmiles@penncharter.com).

Lower School Technology Tools

Laptops, digital cameras, video cameras, and podcasting tools along side Smartboards and Web 2.0 tools are just some of the technology tools in the Lower School toolbox.  The wide variety of tools provides plenty of opportunity for exploration and creativity.

Laptop Computers

Last year, the Lower School shifted from a computer lab model to a laptop cart model in which the students used laptops in their classrooms.  Having students work with laptops in classrooms takes advantage of the already established academic environment,enriching the learning experience for the students. Using laptops has provided the Lower School tremendous flexibility and mobility in providing concurrent computing access to groups of students.

USB Flash Drives

4th and 5th Grade students are given a USB flash drive for saving and transporting their work between home and school.  These USB Flash Drives are a part of the tools provided by the school to your child.  Your child is responsible for the appropriate use, care, and safeguarding of this tool.  Click here for information about replacement costs and anti-virus protection.

Wikis

A love of reading and sharing books sparked the first use of a wiki, a web 2.0 tool, during the 2008-2009 school by Mrs. Aichenbaum with her Fifth Grade Language Arts students. Designed to facilitate collaboration, the Fifth Grade wiki has been great way for students to share information and recommend books they are reading.

Smartboards & Smart Notebook

Smartboards are found in each Lower School classroom.  Easy to develop activities using the latest Smartboard software and online activities offer new ways to engage students in learning, whether in developing keyboarding skills or learning how to use a protractor!

Additional Resources for Parents

Information for Parents with Online Children

Keyboarding Resources

Technology Class Activities