Swift River: Technology

Swift River School is equipped with a state-of-the art computer lab consisting of over twenty (20) networked Macintosh computers, two HP LaserJet printers, five flatbed scanners, an LCD projection system for group teaching, and a school-wide server. This setup enables students to benefit from whole class instruction. The computer-based math, science, literacy, and art projects worked on in the lab align with the Massachusetts State Curriculum Frameworks. The projects complement and reinforce lessons and themes taught in the classrooms, offering students another way of learning the same important materials.

Swift River students begin computer classes in Kindergarten. At this level, they focus on developing mouse, keyboarding, and Broderbund Kid Pix image-editing skills. This early training helps them build a solid foundation of skills which in turn allows them to engage in progressively more sophisticated projects as they age. Starting in third grade, students learn to use Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Adobe Photoshop (an image editor). Projects link directly to classroom units. By the time Swift River children graduate, they are skilled in a variety of software applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Broderbund Kid Pix, Kidspiration and Timeliner. We also teach them how to use scanners and digital cameras.

In addition to work in the lab, our students practice their technology skills in the classroom. Thanks to a school wide network, they can save their files to a central server and access their work from any computer on the network. Since virtually all computers at school connect to the Internet, children can also conduct online research. By promoting creative and effective computer use and providing detailed instruction in several computer skills, our technology program prepares all Swift River students for the demanding work they will face in junior high, high school, and beyond.

Our Technology Curriculum