 |
Mastering technology is an integral part of a Barnesville school education. The school maintains 3 computer labs equipped with Dell Pentium 4 computers, CD burners, black and white and color laser printers, and Savin digital copiers. Multiple wireless access points allow both students and visitors to effortlessly connect to the Barnesville network and the Internet. Most classrooms are equipped with LCD projectors in order to provide students the ability to hone their skills in creating and giving presentations to their classmates.
First grade uses the computer to record students responses for the monthly newsletter. Second Grade uses computers as a Houghton Mifflin resource for extra activities, for researching Science and Social Studies websites, and for designing worksheets for spelling. In third grade students are introduced to Word with its text and picture box concepts, and students use the computer lab for Language Arts and Social Studies assignments. The fourth grade curriculum introduces students to Power Point and helps them learn to use it as a tool for their state research projects. Fourth grade also uses the computer lab for word processing on a weekly basis for their various classroom assignments. The year begins with monthly keyboarding done as homework in 4th and 5th grade, and then 3rd grade is included in this homework expectation after Winter Break.
Skills in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and the use of the Internet for research are expanded upon in grades 5 through 8. Students attend a technology lab once a week, which includes project oriented assignments, and make 2-3 additional trips to one of the computer labs each week to complete research and class work assignments. Barnesville School alumni are well prepared to meet the challenges of the digital future.