Our objective in computer lab is to teach the students how to log on to our network, safely while using computer and internet, and how to use the different software programs available on the district computers. Using the software, we work in the different themes and occassions of the Boys & Girls Club Program.
Also this year we have been using learning.com and Study Island programs. You can log into these programs from home. Your student has been supplied a username and password to log on to these programs. They can use them to log on from home.
I am one of the Rome School District SYSOPs during the day at Staley Upper Elementary & Strough Middle School. This allows me access to the RCSD Technology Standards, I try to incorporate those standards into the lessons we use during that time.
The entire time students are in the lab isn't devoted to these lessons. By the time the student get into the lab they have spent a great deal of time in school doing school work related projects. I allow them to pick sites from the weblinks to the left of the after school webpage. We try to mix learning and fun into technology.
Even though this is an after school program we need to follow district policies. The district has an internet filter which blocks many sites that are not appropriate for an educational environment. However filters aren't 100% reliable. We need your help as a parent/guardian to help teach the students responsibility while using the computers especially while on the internet. District policies prohibit students from using personal email, blogs, facebook or myspace sites while using a district computer. Students aren't allowed to go to sites that require them to create user accounts. These rules are here for your childs safety. Please take an active role in knowing what your child is doing on personal media devices.
