Student Technology Programs throughout the District

1. Integrating Technology into the Art Program
The high school art department continues to be a leader in technology.  Through programs such as Photoshop, I-Movie, and Illustrator, students create projects that have garnered numerous local, state, and national awards.   In addition, the Strata Studio Pro CX2 (a 3D modeling and animation program) introduces the video gaming industry to students.   At the end of the year, students create a DVD of their artwork to take home, over the years building an electronic portfolio to document their continual growth. 

2.  Service Learning
The art program also offers the concept of service learning to students.  Student leaders receive requests from staff and community members to design posters and signage for various events.  They then work with the “customer” to develop a final product, print, and deliver the custom merchandise.  These signs and posters hang around the buildings, across the grounds, and throughout the community. 

3. Student Course Scheduling
Online scheduling was introduced to the high school building in the 2009-2010 school year.  All students who were to enter grades 7-12 for the 2010-2011 school year were able to develop their schedule online.  Once selected, the courses were mapped out to produce a master schedule for students and teachers at Springdale Jr-Sr High School.  The program enabled students to leave for summer vacation with their schedule for the next school year.

4. Integrating Technology into Physical Education
The Health/Physical Education Department received grants to fund additional equipment to improve student health.  Through the Healthy High 5 program, $8,452 was received by the elementary and $9,610 by the secondary division.  The elementary program used the money they received to purchase several Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) and wii systems.  They developed a two-part program.  Part one, the physical activity, which students will use to create a lower resting heart rate; and part two, a knowledge-based component where students learn about what it takes to become physically fit.  For their efforts, the elementary program received recognition in Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge: The Best Practices.  The high school utilized its grant money to purchase a class set of heart rate monitors and a Trifit 700 system that the teachers use in conjunction with the District’s Fitness Center.  The acquired monitors allow students to work in their target heart rate zones to learn how to monitor their own effort and intensity. 

5. Virtual Fieldtrips
Through a Polyvision program, students are able to take virtual field trips to places across the country and throughout the world.  Teachers identify what field trip will fit into their curriculum and schedule, through the Production Department, the appropriate time/date for the trip.  Last year, students were able to “travel” to
Wisconsin to visit a Native American museum and the Chesapeake Bay to learn about aquatic ecosystems. 

6. Uses in the Elementary Buildings
Students begin their education in the primary building learning to develop Power Point presentations and complete basic research on the Internet.  They move through the grade levels studying keyboarding skills, computer etiquette, and internet search techniques and safety measures.   Elementary students use the Internet, Excel, PowerPoint, United Streaming, and voice recordings to create books; “Kidquests” are developed by students to be used by their peers to discover and explore various topics; interactive computer trivia games are designed; personal digital journals, electronic portfolios, and web pages are all produced by students at various grade levels. 

7.  Skype
The Skype program is used thoughout the buildings in various subject areas.  Some courses use the program to partner students with “pen-pals” in other parts of the world, while other teachers have arranged to use the program to link our students with other high schools for collaborative learning experiences.  The program has also been used for discussions at the Board- and administrative-levels.

8. Video Production
Technology Education in the District also includes a Video Production course, which incorporates a television station.  Students develop announcements each morning to be broadcast in the high school.  These classes also enable students to create music videos, commercials, and short highlight films.  It provides a strong basis for those students who want to continue this type of activity for their career. 

9. Alternate Education
Springdale Jr-Sr High School began a Virtual Learning Network for its Alternate Education program.  Housed within the District and staffed by certified teachers and counselors, this program has enabled students who were not successful in the regular daily schedule be able to take courses, stay in school, and successfully graduate.  Adaptive technology components have also been added for special needs students.

10. Emergency Management
For many years, staff members have been issued ID badges to wear whenever they are in the buildings.   The system allows for easy recognition of unregistered guests in the buildings.  In addition, IP phones have been installed in all classrooms and offices.  These units allow for cost savings and reports for emergency situations.  The most recent additions to the program include the Global Connect system, which allows District administrators to contact parents in a matter of minutes in an emergency situation.  In addition, E-Watch security cameras were installed at the high school and monitor hallways and meeting areas throughout the building.