Technology Support for Teaching and Learning
St. Catherine Technology Committee is an active group of parents and teachers,
whose goal is to integrate technology into the classroom and enhance the
curriculum by using computers as learning and resource tools. Its duties
include making technology recommendations, planning and implementing technology
improvements, supporting the staff through training, and providing adult
supervision for after-school computer lab.
Our History
Technology planning had been ongoing through most of the 1990's with an
assortment of hardware and software being used through the school. During
the 1999-2000 school year, volunteers installed a school-wide computer
network. This included setting up a brand new computer lab. Volunteers
remodeled the room, installed furniture and equipment, and set up the
software. The entire cost of the lab was donated by over 100 generous
parents, parishioners, and friends of the school. The outgoing eighth
grade class of 2000 held a car wash and contributed a computer workstation.
Microsoft and Symantec donated software. Each computer lab station is
equipped with Microsoft Office and a variety of educational software.
Because each student's files and settings are stored on a file server,
students have access to their own files no matter which workstation they
use.
Technology is used in the classrooms as well. Each teacher has a networked
personal computer, providing access to email, the Internet, and student
projects from their desks. All classrooms have a TV, which can also be
used to project the teacher's computer screen. Some classrooms have additional
computers for use by the students. Teachers and students use resources
such as a video camera, digital camera, and scanner.
The Internet can be accessed from anywhere on our school's network, via
a fast DSL connection. Internet access is regulated by individual user
passwords, and teachers are able to control their classes' access. Teacher
supervision, along with filtering software, encourages responsible Internet
use.
Our Current Work
Work continues with the final editing of a 5-year comprehensive technology
plan, maintenance and upgrades to the network, and hardware, and staff
training. The website,
www.stcatherineschool.net, is maintained by volunteers. Providing computer
lab supervision before and after school is another ongoing function.
When We Meet
We meet monthly and on as-needed basis. To find out the latest meeting
schedule or to find out what you can do to help, send an email to Ed Ringness
at ed@ringness.org.
