Technology at Saeger Middle School
Where is the Technology?
- There is at least one computer located in every classroom.
- There are 13 Windows student stations in the industrial technology classroom for their curriculum.
- The PC lab has 48 PC computer stations available to all students.
- The PC labs each have a color scanner and color laser printers to aid students with their assignments.
- The PC labs have interactive white boards with a projector to aid in teacher-led lessons.
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The Learning Commons has a wealth of multimedia technology available for use, including but not limited to: digital cameras, video cameras, 7 iPads for in library use (catalog access, research, etc.), a mobile lab consisting of 30 Windows Laptops, a Smartboard for in-library use, 6 Windows Desktop computers, an in-library printer (black and white only), HDMI projectors, and several mobile TVs equipped with DVD players and VCRs.
- There are two technology classrooms in the eighth grade and one in the seventh grade with 14 Windows student computers and one teacher computer.
- Every science class has at least three student computers and a SmartBoard with projector.
- Every core classroom (Communication Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies) has a SmartBoard, projector, VCR/DVD player, and sound system.
What Software Programs are Generally Used at Saeger?
- Microsoft Word
- Power Point
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Publisher
- Windows Movie Maker
- iMovie
- Garage Band
- Internet Explorer
- Firefox
- Safari
- World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia
- Encyclopedia Britannica Online
- Brain Pop
- United Streaming
- Online reference materials, newspapers, and magazine articles
- Curricular content-based software
How is Technology Used?
Teachers and students use technology in their classrooms, labs, and the library media center in a variety of ways. They may: - Do research using the internet, electronic encyclopedias, electronic databases, and electronic magazine searches
- Use word processing to write reports, stories, newspaper articles, etc.
- Develop multimedia projects
- Create graphs
- Design a spreadsheet
- Create computer graphics
- Explore a web quest
- Participate in a videoconference lesson
- Use audiovisual materials to enhance their curriculum
- Use the curricular content-based software
What do we see in the future?
We are actively pursuing funding from grants, foundations, and businesses to institute the district's T3 initiative. These classrooms would have 14 computers (one for every two students) and would follow the inquiry-based technology learning model and Marzano's strategies for learning. At present we have four of these classrooms and would like to expand the program to another 6th and 7th grade classroom. If you or anyone you know would like to contribute to this program, please call Mr. Brian Schick at 636-851-5521 or contact Mr. Matt Van Horn. We have videoconferencing equipment that we received from federal grants. Teachers are able to connect to experts and have their students talk one-on-one with these experts using a television and camera. Some videoconferences have included: Global Nomads (talking with Sudanese refugees and volunteers in Chad, Africa), a question and answer session with Lisa Walters (Library Media and Technology Consultant from the state of Missouri) on copyright, learning from a paleontologist about Antarctica, a "Poetry Jam" with students from all around the world, talking with an Iraqi student about the war in Iraq from his perspective, and staff development for the teachers.