Technology

Technology is an important part of the curriculum at South Salem and is used to supplement the academic growth of the students.

South Salem is fortunate to have a computer lab equipped with 24 Gateway Pentium 4 computers along with a color laser printer, a black and white laser printer, a scanner, and a SmartBoard. Each grade level has a digital camera and at least one LCD projector. All computers run Windows XP. In addition to the computer lab, all individual classrooms have at least two computers for student use. All computers are connected to the Salem Schools LAN. Each grade level has a laser printer located in its common space, and there is an additional color printer in the library media center. Each classroom is also equipped with a Focus Enhancements TView so teachers can display the computer screen on the TV for classroom use.

In the spring of 2008, Salem City Schools began SOL testing online in all schools. In preparation for this, we acquired 3 portable labs of 24 notebook computers each. These are stored in the computer lab, and the entire cart can be rolled to classrooms. Students and teachers use these computers to do research or create projects which require extended periods of time.

South Salem has a set of Quizdom remotes. The set of 24 Quizdom remotes enables students to answer questions which are displayed on the computer and receive immediate feedback. These are frequently used for engaging classroom reviews.

Each class is scheduled for one hour per week in the computer lab. Students in all grades use the computers to enhance language arts and math skills in both the lab and in their classrooms. They also use the internet for research for science and social studies units. Kid Pix, a popular drawing program which includes numerous templates, is used for a variety of projects related to classroom instruction. Kidspiration is used to help children organize ideas before beginning writing projects as well as a variety of sorting activites in all grade levels.

Scholastic Keys is a suite of programs that interface with Microsoft Office. MaxWrite works with Word, MaxShow works with PowerPoint, and MaxCount works with Excel. Each of these provide a simple and kid friendly way for young children to create documents and presentations of which they can be proud.

Math Blaster provides review of math facts, and Graph Club helps young children create a variety of graphs. Larson's Math program provides individualized practice for math skills at any grade level. We also have a variety of programs for reinforcement of science and social studies concepts which can be checked out from the school library.

Children are taught proper keyboarding skills in a structured and entertaining way using a program entitled PAWS. PAWS is intended primarily for use in grades 3-5. Primary students work on preliminary keyboarding skills through the use of the KidKeys program in the computer lab.

All Windows computers also have Microsoft Office 2003 installed on them. Accelerated Reader software has also been installed on all computers, and students are able to begin taking tests from either their classrooms or from the lab during the first week of school. AR records for grades 2-5 are moved to the next grade level as students progress. The Star program provides more information regarding a student's reading level and progress throughout the school year.

Each classroom has access to the internet and e-mail. Students may do supervised research in the computer lab as well as in the classroom. Most teachers also provide a variety of software in their classrooms to incorporate with their grade level curriculum.