Welcome To The Lake Garda Computer Lab


Mrs. Carter Computer Lab Teacher	Mrs. Nicoletti , Computer Lab Teaching Assistant

Meet Tracy Turtle our Computer lab mascot!

For Writing and Research on the computer: Click Here

For useful links: Click Here

Terrific Typing Training

Keyboarding skills are valuable in this day and age where computers are used in almost every profession. Region 10 has purchased the use of a new typing training program for students and staff known as Custom Typing Training.

Custom Typing Training is a web-based service providing online typing training and testing. Because it is web-based, no software installation is needed (with the possible exception of minor system upgrades on older computers). All that is needed are computers with Internet access. Teachers and students can access their accounts from any computer with an Internet connection. Custom Typing can be customized to meet the unique needs of students at all ages and levels of skill.

Overview of Features for Schools

Custom Typing offers the following key features for schools:

· Unique training modules, which show students correct finger positioning and technique using large, bold, and clear graphics.

· Hundreds of built-in typing tests and exercises, covering a wide range of topics. These can be very short (1 to 2 words) or very long (300+ words), and all levels in between.

· Optional animated coaches to guide students step by step. The coaches talk to students, providing encouragement and feedback.

· Two typing games: Trivia Challenge and Goalie

System Requirements

1. Web Browser

Custom Typing is guaranteed to work with the most popular web browsers, as listed below.

· Internet Explorer 6 for Windows (available at www.microsoft.com/ie)

· Firefox 1.0 for Windows and Macintosh (available at www.firefox.com)

· Safari 1.3 for Macintosh. Note: must be running OS 10.3.9 or higher.

· Internet Explorer 5.2 for Macintosh

2. Macromedia Flash

Custom Typing requires version 6 or later of the Macromedia Flash player. Almost all computers should meet this requirement, since this player comes pre-installed. However, some older systems may need to upgrade. The player may be downloaded from www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer.

Accounts

Each second through fifth grade student will have his or her own user account to be used for accessing the site. Each account has its own unique username and password, which is entered on the home page: (www.customtyping.com)

Students will be receiving their login information in the computer lab. They can now practice typing skills in their own home!

Getting “Smarter” Day by Day

More Smart Boards for Lake Garda School

Once again the Lake Garda PTA has contributed greatly to the technology at Lake Garda School by purchasing another interactive Smart Board for our school.

While a computer is connected to the Smart Board, the image of the computer is projected to the screen. The Smart Board then becomes a giant touch-screen computer. Tapping on the screen is equivalent to a click with your mouse.

Students and teachers can draw or write on the Smart Board using an electronic pen. What is drawn or written on the board can be captured and saved on the computer for future use. Teachers can log onto a web site and use the Smart Board like a giant computer screen, scrolling through web sites with a touch of their finger. Math manipulative web sites are especially interesting, as students can touch a block and move it with their finger right on the large screen. The Smart Board helps students stay focused on the lesson thus, enhancing their learning.

Last year the smart board was installed in the computer lab and used by all classes. This year along with two Smart Boards purchased by the district, there will be three of them installed in classrooms. I would love to see one in every classroom.

Dolphins Surf the Internet

Lake Garda students can travel from Lake Garda in Burlington, CT, to the Eiffel Tower in France with the click of a button. Google Earth is a program that

actually gives visual zooming out over the US, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, and zooming in on France! Students can travel anywhere in the world.

Check out Google Earth at http://www.earth.google.com

There is a free download for your computer and you will see the world from your home.

The clicking of the keys on the keyboard, the sounds of learning games, and the chatter of enthusiastic students are what you will find in the Lake Garda Computer Lab. Our lab contains twenty-four state-of-the-art Macintosh computers and many programs designed to enhance learning in all subject areas.
	There is something for everyone at the Lake Garda Computer Lab. Every week hundreds of students from Kindergarten through fifth grade attend the lab to work on a variety of activities. Microtype is a program that is used in many classes to teach necessary keyboarding skills while Lexia, SOS, and Scholastic Reading Counts, enhance reading at an individual level.
Students are using Microsoft Word to create documents and Excel spreadsheets to create charts and graphs, which are part of their mathematics and science classes. Students also have access to a variety of math related activities using the Edmark programs. Students can progress at their own rate and accomplish a number of math skills including fractions, geometry, and basic math fact practice. PowerPoint presentations will be used for book reports, research presentations, and much more.
	In addition to our computer lab, we have a computer lab on wheels. Lake Garda has twenty-four Macintosh wireless iBooks that can be wheeled into any classroom at a moment’s notice. All of the programs available in the computer lab are also available on the iBooks.
Mrs. Skelton uses "Music Ace" to allow students to create their own music on the computer.