Technology

As the role of technology has become increasingly important in education, Gwynedd-Mercy Academy has kept pace by equipping our classrooms, library and computer lab with interactive whiteboards, wireless Internet and computer workstations.  Faculty attends workshops and continuing education courses so that they can optimally integrate technology into lesson plans and class work.  Our librarians work with all grades, in conjunction with homeroom and subject area teachers, to facilitate research and educate students in age-appropriate Internet usage and effective, approved search engines. 

The technology curriculum places emphasis on the development of technological literacy to support skills and application necessary for the Information Age.  Integration and cross-curricular activities, as well as Internet access developed in the lab and classrooms, promote independent and collaborative lifelong learning.  Based on Academic Standards for Science and Technology Standards, the curriculum incorporates computer applications and operations, interactive experiences, and ethics.  Beginning in kindergarten, students receive instruction in computer classes on the various component functions of the computer, with a strong emphasis on keyboarding, utilizing programs such as Kid Keys and Read and Write and Type.  Ongoing instruction builds on the development of skills and exploration as students utilize Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher to support comprehension and build learning.  Technology helps to support differentiated learning , as students develop spreadsheets in math, incorporate Resume Wizard for an ILA assignment, create a slideshow for science, or explore other electronic searches.  Students are educated on Internet safety and are challenged to recognize their ethical responsibility as a user. In support of this, each student and faculty member signs the Acceptable Use Policy.