Goals
The aim of the technology department is to help students see technology as
a tool that they can actively incorporate into their learning. For this reason,
there are no "computer classes" in a traditional sense. Rather, teachers
meet with the technology department to develop curriculum-based projects in
which students use a variety of applications and develop a variety of computer
utilization skills.
EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS
SFDS has a networked lab with 24 Macintosh computers. All classrooms and the
Library are networked as well, with both School server and Internet access.
In addition, we have two mobile laptop carts, each with wireless network connections
and a class set of laptops. These carts can be wheeled into and set up in individual
classes. The lab also maintains a mobile projection station with a laptop that
can be moved from room to room and used for group presentations.
The School maintains a server on which all students can store, share, and access
their work in password-protected folders.
Commonly used applications and hardware
- Appleworks Word Processing
- Appleworks Spreadsheet
- Microsoft Office suite
- Web browsers (Safari and Firefox)
- Inspiration
- Microworlds
- Flash MX
- Geometer's Sketchpad
- Finale Notepad
- Kid Pix
- Ultrakey Keyboarding
- Adobe Photoshop Elements
- Netscape Composer
- iMovie
- Garageband
- Quicktime
- Canon digital video & still cameras
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SFDS teach Macintosh or Windows?
In teaching technology as an integrated component of the classroom curricula,
our aim is that students come to see computers as problem-solving tools, so
we teach applications rather than platforms. The students learn a variety of
programs that are well suited to their class work. The majority of programs
we use are compatible with both operating systems and can run equally well on
Mac or Windows computers. Most machines available for student use run the Macintosh operating system. Since the majority of student
work is still word processing, our machines all run Microsoft Word, the most commonly
used cross-platform word processor.
Can my child transfer files between school and home?
We strongly recommend students use an inexpensive USB flash drive to transfer files between home and school. You can read more about these devices at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb_flash_drive. Flash drives are available for $10-$15 from online resellers like http://www.buy.com , or from local businesses like Walgreens, Office Depot, or Best Buy. For the majority of student work, the smallest capacity device you can find (usually in the 256-512MB range) is more than sufficient.
Does my child need a laptop or a computer at home?
The School's official policy is that no homework or long-term projects will
be required to be produced on a computer. If the project is technology-based,
sufficient time will be allotted to complete the work during school hours. However,
Upper School students often find it advantageous to be able to begin work on
a computer at school and then continue working on a computer at home.
What school resources are available for my child to do research while at home?
Please visit http://www.sfds.net/Library/search.html for a full list of research tools that your student can use while at home. Please note that most have specific login information listed.
Can I get copies of the commonly used programs from school?
The programs we use at school are copyrighted materials and licensed for our
use. For this reason, we cannot copy applications for students or families.
However, we are happy to direct you to locations where you can purchase your
own copies of software. Please contact the technology department for more information.
Does my child need an e-mail account to succeed at SFDS?
No! Teachers and students may find it convenient to communicate via email, but and email account is by no means a requirement for our classes. If this were the case, the school would provide an account to each student.
Where can a parent find information on Internet safety tips for tweens and teens?
There are many parent resource groups that share tips. The three listed here are good starting points, but we also suggest that you network with your friends who are also parents of school-aged kids to share what has (or hasn't) worked.
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