Elementary Classrooms
Go Digital

Students in each Bethpage elementary class now have access to the Internet right from their classroom. One of the technology initiatives this summer was to install four networked computers in each K-5 classroom. As part of the district's Bond Issue, each room was wired over the past year. The next phase was the installation of the computers which took place this summer.

The district is planning extensive staff development in the area of technology for the instructors involved. Teachers are using the computers in a variety of educational ways. Students are logging on to the Internet to help in research projects. Some are using a new website called Brain Pop to watch animations that explain concepts in Math and Science. Other students are accessing educational video-on-demand through their computers via a website sponsored by the State Education Department.

In addition to the Internet the classroom computers have software titles like Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint and visual mapping software called Inspiration. A software committee is bring formed to review new titles to enhance the learning experience.

One of the unique features of the Bethpage program is the ability for students to logon to the system from home. "We see a large number of middle and high school students and teachers accessing the system from home every night. Now we will be offering that access to elementary school children as well." Students will be able to access school software and their own personal files from home. A series of workshops for parents on how to use the new technology is planned for this fall.

According to Mrs. Angelita Cintado, Principal of Charles Campagne Elementary School, the teachers and students have quickly embraced the new classroom technology. "We see many teachers already using the new computers as one of their learning centers. Students are reading traditional books and then doing follow up research on the Internet to learn more about the author. Others are using them for the language arts programs."

At Central Blvd. Elementary School Fourth Grade teachers Mrs. Gina Rufrano and Ms. Susan Corcoran team teach and said, "It's been great having the classroom computers because it allows the students to work in the computer lab and then continue to work in the classroom and then also from home. The learning process never stops." Meghan Kenny, a student in their class used the Internet to learn about an author and then mapped out a story using Inspiration. She said, "We get to learn things that you never learned before using the Internet and I like working in the centers."