At Davidson Academy, we are committed to equipping our teachers and students with the necessary skills and tools to effectively function in a technology-rich society and school environment. Throughout the history of our school, parent involvement has been a key to providing technology resources for our school community. Beginning with the designation of proceeds from the school's first chili supper in 1980-81 for purchase of a computer, and continuing with a parent designing and supervising installation of our schoolwide network and gifts to the annual campaign earmarked for technology, parents are key supporters in providing technology tools for our school. With this base of support, we are creating an educational infrastructure that links students and teachers with a vast wealth of resources through both our intranet and Internet structures. Currently, all classrooms, labs, and libraries are equipped with networked multimedia computers, and future plans call for expansion of network connections and resources.
Currently (2006) we have a ratio of one computer to three
students throughout the school. Each teacher is
furnished with a laptop. The students have access
to approximately 75 computers in the three labs and
approximately 140 computers in the classrooms and 20 computers in the two libraries. The Upper School has a state-of-the-art media studio and the Lower School has a technology-rich science lab. Network-based closed-circuit security monitors are placed throughout the campus. Each classroom is equipped with a TV for in-house televised announcements and for public programming. Data projectors are available for all teachers.
Davidson Academy supports both wired and wireless networks and both PC and MAC platforms. Our connection to the Internet is through three T-1 lines in addition to the T-1 line dedicated to our phone system. Each classroom is equipped with a phone.
The goal of technology at Davidson Academy is to be a tool integrated in the curriculum of each class and each subject. This is accomplished by each teacher using the technology available to enhance her teaching skills and to teach the students the effective use of today's technology for academic and life enriching activities.
Network-based and Internet-based curriculum programs are utilized throughout the school. Some of these programs are:
- Lower School: Harcourt Math Curriculum, Accelerated Reader.
- Upper School: Accelerated Reader, Microsoft Suite Application programs.
The Lower School computer lab is managed by Sharon Hoffman, the technology coordinator and Lower School computer teacher. The Upper School computer lab is managed by Karla Elliott, the Upper School computer teacher and yearbook editor.
There is an additional lab in the Upper School managed by Darla Knight. This lab is for student use during their study hall time and for teachers to bring their classes for special computer projects.
In the Lower School there is a well-equipped science lab, which is used by the Lower School science teachers.
|