Lake+Forest+Best+Practices

Here is a summary of instructional technologies in the Lake Forest School District:

1) Certified teachers in our computer labs for LF East (K-3), LF North (K-3), LF South (K-3), and LF Central (4-5) Elementary Schools teach our students basic computer skills. Each class visits the computer lab usually once a week. Computer skills include using the mouse, keyboarding, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, painting/drawing, age-appropriate Internet-based research techniques, and safe use of the Internet (via iSAFE). Software includes Type-to-Learn, Kidspiration, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, AppleWorks, KidPix, Safari, and Internet Explorer.

2) 8th grade students at W.T. Chipman complete a Computer Literacy course. The course is scheduled for 5 days a week and lasts one semester. The students learn the functionality of Microsoft Office applications in more depth than what can be covered in Grades K-5. They also learn age-appropriate Internet-based research techniques and safe use of the Internet, using iSAFE materials appropriate for middle school students. Completing this course fulfills the 8th Grade Technology Literacy requirement.

3) All core curriculum classrooms district-wide now have interactive whiteboards and ceiling mounted projectors. In addition each math teacher grades 5-12 received the Geometer's Sketchpad software and training.

4) Language arts - our elementary teachers grades 1-5 district-wide are using the Dibels system to collect student performance data using Palm PDAs.

5) Lake Forest High School has many instructional technology resources throughout the building. Here's a summary of the desktop computers - 3 full labs in the Business Education Department, 1 full lab for the Math Department, 1 full lab in the Library, a small lab in the Technology Education Department, and most classrooms have 1-5 desktops. Full mobile labs for Math Department, the Language Arts Department, the Science Department, and the Library. Small mobile labs for the Business Education Department and the Technology Education Department.

6) Speaking of mobile labs, here's a summary of the other buildings: LF East - one small lab of Intel-based iBooks LF North - one mobile lab of iBooks (about 5 years old) LF Central - one mobile lab of Windows laptops (about 5 years old) W.T. Chipman - four mobile labs of Windows laptops These mobile labs are used in the classrooms in a variety of content areas and for a variety of purposes.

7) Next up - transition from Macs to Windows platform at LF North for the 2009-2010 school year. LF East will make the transition for 2010-2011. Also, sound systems will be installed in more classrooms, as funding permits.