Integration
of Academics & Technology
Technology will be integrated throughout the curriculum,
with all new students taking a required technology class.
Research indicates that when technology is embedded in the
curriculum, not only are students provided the opportunity
to learn necessary skills for success in the 21st century,
but they become more engaged in their learning, leading
to greater comprehension, retention of information, and
use of that academic knowledge in later life. At-risk students show substantial
improvement when technology is introduced into their curriculum.
Experts believe the reason for this is that technology gives
educators and opportunity to individualize instruction and
meet the needs of individual students.
There are three primary components to the UPA technology
program. Initially, during the academic summer boot-camp
(described below) each student will be tested to determine
his/her technology proficiency. Based on the outcome of
these tests, students will be placed in one of three technology
tracts. The first level will focus on basic technology skills
acquisition, such as basic computer use, hardware and software
concepts, trouble shooting and word processing. Students
at the second level will focus on email, utilization of
electronic information sources, networking and the basics
of digital imaging. The third level will cover spreadsheets
and database development and web design. It also covers
the basics of web media, and multi-media development such
as web-based audio and video. After completing all three
levels, students will take a final exam to evaluate students’
learning across all three levels. Students successfully
passing this final exam will receive a “Certificate
of Technology Proficiency.”
Teachers will be required to integrate technology use throughout
the curriculum. UPA will purchase several mobile computer
labs for use in classrooms and science labs that will be
equipped with up to date technology. We will also have a
projector, TV, DVD players in the classroom. Interactive
white boards and other “nice to have” technology
tools will be added as funding permits. Students will develop
course projects and course work in which they are required
to use the technology skills at their level described above
for the successful completion of their work. The skills
they will typically be required to use for completion of
coursework will be word processing, spreadsheets, presentation
technology, database, audio and visual conferencing, and
creating complex multi-media projects. Students will develop
skills and positive attitudes concerning technology that
support communication, collaborative projects, grade-level
integration, creativity and productivity. UPA plans to use
technology to enable students to learn to search and discover
knowledge, actively communicate with others, and solve problems
so that they can become productive, life-long members of
our society.
