Technology and Media Literacy at Pacific School

Heather McDougal instructs grades 3-6 in the use of computer technology on a weekly basis in our library media lab. The technology program teaches children how to use computers creatively to achieve the goals they are setting themselves, while integrating with the core curriculum, combining technological literacy with support of classroom learning.

3/4 Computer classes

In the third and fourth grades, we concentrate on basic skills like typing, mouse use, saving and drawing on the computers. Some of the projects we work on are Dance Mat Typing (BBC typing program), haikus, communal stories (everyone writes for 5 minutes and then changes seats), concrete poetry, making certificates and building mazes. Students learn to access the remote file-server and to find pictures on Google search.

5/6 Media Literacy classes

In the Fifth and Sixth grades, technology is combined with a media awareness component. Students do segments on propaganda, truth in advertising, and body image; projects which emphasize these elements are created on the computer using Microsoft Word, Photoshop, Illustrator, and other programs. Projects include creating an advertising campaign, complete with logo and company name; making a travel poster; taking a picture of themselves and retouching it using Photoshop so that it looks like someone else; and writing persuasive copy for a television advertisement using hyperbole and "hand waving."

Safety

Internet safety and awareness of the dangers of cyber bullying, predatory impersonation, and misinformation websites are a key segment in the Media Literacy class; however in all classes, the awareness of the fact that the internet can be false and/or inappropriate is always encouraged.

Board Policy: Student Use of Technology rules

To find out the Board Policy on Student Use of Technology, please go to the GAMUT website, where all our school policies are posted.

- Log in to the GAMUT website with the user name "pacdav" and the password "public"

- Do a search for "Student Use of Technology." (For reference, the number of the policy is 6163.4).

(You can also download a pdf of the Technology Plan)