PROGRAMS |   TECHNOLOGY

TESTIMONIALS

Piper, student

“I think of it as a new way of learning!”

Andrew, student

“It is IMPOSSIBLE to not pay attention with the SMART Board.”

Michael, student

“I love the SMART Board. It's awesome! I wish I had one. Also, everyone is right, the SMART Board is like a giant iPad.”

Mr. Swanson, teacher  

“Thanks to the PFA, my classroom has received a brand new SMART Board! This is the best thing to happen to me as a teacher in my career.It’s connected to my computer, fully touch screen, I can write on it with SMART Pen, my finger, or whiteboard markers. Any lesson that I create can be saved for future use or review. It’s hooked up to the internet. It has a host of applications already on it. It has transformed our classroom.”

Mrs.Taylor, Kindergarten Parent

“Adam had so much fun doing his "V" letter share on the SMART Board that he wanted to share his outing to the Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit. I was so amazed to see my child who sometime hides from people, stood in front of his class this morning talking about each slide on his PowerPoint presentation and changing the slide himself by touching the SMART Board!  You made good use of the SMART Board and made learning on it fun and accessible for the kids and, as a result, they learn more.”

Westlake Elementary is committed to providing a high quality technology education and experience for its students.

Each week, Westlake Elementary students in grades K-5 go to the Computer Lab. The Computer Lab has PCs with Microsoft Windows and Office Software, where students practice their typing skills, in addition to learning word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, desktop skills, and more. These computer skills will help them throughout their school career and everyday life. The computer lessons are being used to re-enforce the core curriculum that is being taught in their classrooms.

The Computer Lab is also home to our SuccessMaker^® and Reading Counts! Programs.

SuccessMaker^® is educational software that correlates with Common Core State Standards and is designed to address different learning styles while reinforcing Math, Reading and Science concepts.  For more information about this program, please visit the website at http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZk99

The computer lab has extended hours for use by students before school and during recess.

The classrooms at Westlake Elementary have Computers and Document Cameras. The computers are available throughout the day and students can make use of SuccessMaker^® and Reading Counts! Programs in addition to other approved educational programs on the internet. The time spent daily on the classroom computers varies by grade level. Technology is an integral part of the classroom environment.

SMART Boards

Recently, SMART Boards have been installed in some of the classrooms. SMART Boards are interactive whiteboards. When using SMART Boards, teachers are able to present multi-media lessons, save their work, and write in "digital ink" using just a fingertip. SMART Boards have a durable surface, allowing both teachers and students to make direct, interactive contact with the board. They are also great for visual and kinesthetic learners.These interactive white boards provide teachers an opportunity to deliver curriculum in a new and exciting format. Our teachers have quickly incorporated these tools into their daily teaching and have transformed student learning and increased engagement.

Currently we have seventeen SMART Boards on the Westlake Elementary campus, two or three in each grade level and one in the Special Education Learning Center.

Technology Vision: While nothing replaces traditional teaching methods, creating an environment that is rich in technology can further enhance and empower the educational experiences of our children. With continued budget cuts within the School District it is an ongoing challenge to support this vision. Through generosity and support of Westlake Elementary parents and the PFA, much of our Technology Vision has been made possible.