FPD is always looking for new ways to lead in the use of technology in education.
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- Every classroom and office is networked
- there are 3 instructional labs with 24 computers in each
- a 4th lab is under construction
- a mobile lab with 24 wireless laptops for use in the classrooms
- Smartboards are being added to the campus now (an interactive computer linked whiteboard)
- Telephones work through the computer network.
- We maintain licenses for the most up-to-date software from Microsoft—Office 2003 and Windows XP Pro, Adobe InDesign, Macromedia Dreamweaver for website construction-instruction and updates, Computer Associates Etrust antivirus, and GFI spam blocker.
- We maintain a server (NetClassroom) that allows parents and students to login to see the assignments and grades for the different classes.
- Our website is over 100 pages and is an in depth view of the school and its’ activities. Over a dozen members of the staff are involved in the constant updating of the content.
- Classes are using video streaming for instruction and that will be even more widely available with a new video streaming server.
- We host our own on-site email server using Microsoft Exchange.
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There are now over 270 computers on campus with 230 of those on the network. Computer instruction and use is part of the curriculum from Kindergarten through 8th grade and an elective course in 9-12. Instructional labs now number 5 with the newest lab opening in the Fall of 2006.
The most used addition in technology is the SmartBoards, an interactive whiteboard that is 4 feet by 6 feet. It offers interactive use of the computer as projected on the screen. Cox Cable has been added to classrooms for grades 9-12 during the construction and is also projected onto the SmartBoards. All CD or DVD presentations use this technology now as well.
Integration of technology into the instruction is expected from 9th-12th with books on CD, calculators and probes for science and math, research in the Arts and Social Studies and English. Students with a deeper interest in technology can be a tech assistant working on computers, loading software or working on the web pages or students can take the Web Design class.
Quality printing has become a necessity and this year we upgraded to B&W lasers campus-wide, 3 color lasers on the network and networked copiers for high volume jobs.
During 2004-2005 we began broadcasting basketball and baseball over the internet and expanded that to include football in the 2005 season. This has been an endeavor spearheaded by Jim Leonard of Macon State College with cooperation and support from Cox Cable and ACS. This is our webcast link http://newtech.maconstate.edu/broadcasts.aspx . You will find nothing but quality broadcasts by Jim Leonard and his team. We thank Jim for having us as his pilot school for this project.
David Bass is the Director of Technology. Management of all of the technology in the school is his full time job. The rest of the technology staff includes Laurie Colter, Elementary Computer instructor and Loo Loosier, Middle School Computer instructor. All three individuals maintain equipment and software throughout the campus.
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