Technology
Harbor Country Day School is one of the most
technologically advanced schools of our size on Long Island, and on a
par with the most advanced schools of our size in the country.
Technology
is an important means to a successful and productive secondary school
experience; thus, our goal is to give our students the tools to use
technology well in their future academic studies. Technology is the
means to an educational end - not the end itself.
Formal
computer classes are taught beginning in Pre-Kindergarten and continue
through the Fourth Grade. Beginning in First Grade each student has
access to brand-new MacBooks that they use through wireless technology
and in every subject area.
Each classroom is equipped with Mac
computers. Our Media Center is outfitted with sixteen iMacs and every
classroom at every level has access to SMART Board technology. Our
faculty regularly teach classes using programs like PowerPoint, iMovie,
iPhoto, iTunes, GarageBand and Inspiration. Further, students learn to
use Photoshop, digital cameras and SMART Boards. We teach math using
educational software such as The Geometer's Sketchpad.
Students
in the Upper School are asked to present their research in various
forms, which may include formal research papers, PowerPoint
presentations, iMovies, podcasts, wikis or blogs. These various formats
for presenting information are an example of a way to differentiate
instruction, reaching each individual in the best possible way.
Through
the use of MOODLE, an online course management system, teachers are
able to engage students with interactive tools such as discussion
boards, class wikis, online journals and assignments. This secure
website, customized for our school, also supports students as they
develop organizational skills and forges an additional connection
between home and school. Additionally, MOODLE provides a way for
students to partake in a focused and monitored social networking system
that they can use to email teachers or participate in educational
chatrooms. Read more about MOODLE here.
Our
new website is becoming more and more interactive as the weeks and
months go by. Through the new parent portal, parents have direct access
to Parents' Association information, resources and school news as well
as the schedules for academic and sporting events.
Finally, our
library is fully automated through the use of Follett's Destiny system.
In addition to searching the school's collection on-site, students can
search the collection from home. They can also search the collections
of other nearby participating libraries. If we don't have the book you
are looking for, we can find it nearby!
