The technology program enables students to become confident and competent users of technology. Students use some educational software, but emphasis is placed on using the computer as a production tool. Through their study of computers, and use of various applications, students learn to integrate a variety of programs into their academic work.
The technology curriculum is designed to spiral through the grade levels. Students are introduced to age-appropriate tasks through a variety of software applications; the same software may be reintroduced in later grades, but in more depth and at a more sophisticated level. While the program as a whole is based on a spiral approach, at each grade level skills are introduced sequentially to fit the needs and abilities of the students.
The earlier grade levels (K-4) learn about the computer and its parts while focusing on developing mouse and keyboard skills. Many of the projects they tackle in these grades emphasize using various graphics programs and basic word processing. Beginning in fifth grade, students develop their presentation skills through programs like "MediaBlender" and by designing web pages. Students are introduced to the school's local area network (LAN) and servers, which they use extensively during their remaining years at MTS. As the students progress through middle school open-ended projects challenge the students to design databases, refine their word-processing, understand the basics of desktop publishing, and begin to explore video and other multi-media options. The schools' wireless network and mobile lab allow the students to utilize the
skills learned in the technology curriculum in other classes.
Students at MTS are provided with:
• A main computer lab with 18 workstations;
• 3 mini-labs in classrooms around the campus;
• A bank of 8 computers in the library media center;
• A wireless mobile lab of 16 laptops (campus wide access);
• A cart of 30 AlphaSmart keyboards that students can use for basic word processing.
In addition sixth- through eighth-grade students are given school email addresses and use the collaborative application FirstClass.
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