Technology

“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.”

-Bill Gates

The above quote describes what Technology is all about here at Archbishop Wood High School. Our dedicated faculty members integrate technology into their subject areas to help motivate their students to understand what they are teaching.

Archbishop Wood High School continues to grow with the latest technology trends in the 21st Century for students to use across the curriculum. The school is currently on a Windows Server 2008 network infrastructure. Each student signs an Acceptable Technology Use Agreement in the beginning of each school year for using the network. Click here to view the agreement. Currently, the school has four state of the art computer labs with Windows XP Professional and Windows 7 Professional OS along with Office 2007 Professional. One of the four computer labs is used for computer application courses for students interested in earning a Microsoft Office Specialist certification. The other three labs are used for faculty to integrate technology with their students. In addition the school library has 24 desktop computers for students to research the Internet, electronic data bases and the book collection.

All classrooms are equipped with desktop computers for students and teacher presentations. About 70% of the classrooms have ceiling/wall mounted multimedia projectors with Smartboard technology to use for interactive lessons. Students also have the opportunity to use netbook computers in Theology, World Language, English and Science classes. The netbooks have Windows XP/Windows 7 Professional OS along with Office 2007/2010 Professional and are secured in carts with wireless Internet access. The Theology and English departments use the netbooks for online research and writing skills. The World Language department has special package software installed for students to record and work on pronunciation and language skills. The science department offers an “Exploration 21” course for tracks 2 and 3 freshmen students to use netbook computers for online text, assessments, lesson activities, etc. Other science labs use desktop, laptop and netbook computers for science experimental use. The school also has two Multimedia Centers for video and presentation use. Video conferencing is in the future works for students to use for college course credits and virtual field trips. The Music department has a keyboard lab for students to compose and listen to their own music and use Mac OS computers.

As William Ferriter states in his article in Educational Leadership (February 2011), “Good teaching trumps good tools every time.  What the most effective teachers have discovered, however, is that good tools can make learning more efficient.” Archbishop Wood offers continued staff development workshops for its teachers to enhance technology use along with Web 2.0 tools.

Archbishop Wood will still continue to upgrade and introduce students to the latest technology used in education. Click on the “Technology Photos” link to view how students are using technology throughout the school. For any further questions or concerns about our schools technology, click on the “Technology Staff” link to contact any of our department staff.