Jennifer Skalski Email Mrs. Skalski 651-683-6969 VM #94326

Who teaches computers at Red Pine?

My name is Jennifer Skalski and I am the Technology Specialist at Red Pine. After thirteen years of teaching in the regular classroom I have made the shift to introducing students to technology in the computer lab. Lessons in the lab are designed to develop a student’s ability to use technology to communicate with others. The projects that we work on are deliberate extensions of what is happening in the regular classroom so that technology remains connected to our everyday lives. In the lab we do far more than just introduce new tools or software. Many visits to the computer lab incorporate critical thinking lessons and opportunities for problem solving. I will keep parents informed about what is being taught in the computer lab through notes on the weekly Red Pine list-serve.

The Nuts and Bolts:

What types of computers are students using?

* Teaching Lab: 30 eMacs (Used primarily for during specialist visits and for testing)
* Media Center Lab: 25 iMacs (coming summer 2008)
* Mobile Lab I: 30 iBooks (available for classroom use)
* Mobile Lab II: 29 MacBooks (available for classroom use)
* Little Tykes PCs: 6 (used in primary classrooms)
* Several clusters of computers are also located near classrooms

Which software titles are students using?

* Microsoft Office 2004: Word, PowerPoint, Excel
* KidPix
* Kidspiration
* Firefox
* Safari
* Comic Life
* iLife: Garageband, iPhoto, iMovie, iTunes
* Neighborhood Map Machine
* Toy Store
* Type to Learn 3
* Dashboard
* Ezedia
* Google: Sketch Up, Earth, Moon
* CDs: Zoo Vet, Math Missions, Cross Country USA

Links:
Dance Mat Typing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

PowerPoint Bells and Whistles

Hearts of Red Pine

What Is It?

Projects: