|
Innovative Use of Technology
|
Talbot Hill Elementary School
Bishop Dunne Catholic School
Talbot Hill Elementary School
Renton, WA |
| School Statistics |
| Total Enrollment: |
485 |
| Type of School: |
Public, Grades K-5 |
| Location of School: |
Urban |
| Demographics: |
White: 44%
Asian: 23%
African American: 17%
Latino: 13% |
| Free and Reduced Lunch: |
34% |
| Mobility: |
19% |
| ESL: |
11% |
| Percent Special Ed: |
6% |
| Computers: |
Desktops: 165
Laptops: 7
Handhelds: 1 |
Talbot Hill Elementary School proves that when you put technology in the hands of children of any age, outstanding things can happen. The school's mission is to find the extraordinary in every child. And it uses technology in very unique ways to tap each student's talents and abilities.
For example, as part of the national MicroSociety Program, students take control of their own learning by creating a fully functioning community within the school. To run their mini-society, Talbot students use a wide range of sophisticated technologies that a real society uses, from electronic paychecks to video-editing software for television programs. For example, students focusing on TV/media use camcorders to cover news stories and video editing software for the Talbot Hill community closed circuit TV station, KATS. Youngsters who “work” as payroll managers track job records on spreadsheets and use mail merge for payroll checks and direct-deposit receipts. Banking students record checking account information and calculate loan balances. Budding journalists working on the school's newspaper use digital cameras and Adobe Pagemaker to design the layout for the paper. Talbot Hill's Hall of Justice students even maintain a database of offenders and court cases.
 The school also runs a “Tech Kids” program, in which the elementary students provide ongoing staff support on how to use software, maintain technology, and create tech-infused lessons. These young citizens have created a true mini-rendition of life outside of school and are preparing themselves for a future full of technology.
|
|
