Technology @ P.S. 5

Every classroom is equipped with a computer workstation consisting of a computer, monitor, mouse, keyboard, and printer.  All of the classrooms are outfitted with Internet hubs and wireless access points for easy connection to the school’s network.  There are also several laptop carts available for classroom use, allowing teachers to integrate the Internet and computer-based programs into their lessons.  This year our school purchased a site license for Encyclopedia Britannica Online.  Every teacher, student and parent in the P.S. 5 community has access to this powerful resource. 

Early childhood classrooms are equipped with listening stations consisting of CD players or radios, cassette players and student headphones.  The listening stations are used for small group instruction and to reinforce skills for students that need extra help or differentiated instruction.

Our library is equipped with three cross-platform Apple iMacs and a wireless printer.  Here students and teachers can use the computers in a private or small group setting.  The library is also equipped with a video conferencing workstation.  This workstation allows our school to connect with other schools and institutions all around the world.  Past video-conferencing projects have included virtual trips to the Smithsonian Art Museum, NASA, the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Discovery Center.  Video conferencing is a fun and exciting way to utilize technology to learn from experts in the fields of the concepts being studied in the classroom. 

P.S. 5's Instructional Technology Program services students from Kindergarten to fifth grade.  In the computer laboratory, students are exposed to computer literacy and functionality.  The computer laboratory is equipped with 30 Dell computer workstations, all-in-one printers, a projector, and a Smart board.  All of the computers are Internet ready and loaded with a variety of software applications.  The upper grades use software programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Movie Maker to produce multimedia presentations about topics that are covered in their grade curriculum.  The lower grades work on tasks learning how to use the computer to reinforce skills learned in their classroom.  These students use a variety of software programs as well as educational Internet sites to make their learning process a fun and rewarding experience.