Norwood seeks to empower students to be ethical, independent, and innovative users of technology throughout their lives, and the School is committed to the use of educational technology as a means of extending and enriching teaching and learning.
Preparing students for life in an ever-changing, information-based society necessitates that they become proficient users of information technologies.
Creative applications of technology at Norwood enhance the learning experience of all students by equipping them, and their teachers, with the tools and skills necessary for participation in a global community of information resources.
Technology allows teachers to bring the world into the classroom. Students need skills to navigate through this labyrinth of information. A priority in Norwood’s technology program is teaching students how to find, decode, evaluate, and organize the vast amount of information available through what has become a global electronic library.
This program is founded on and supports the Norwood Community Agreement , which emphasizes the values of respect for others and self, kindness, civility, lawfulness, and personal integrity. The Community Agreement represents the overall standards and expectations for responsible use of technology. Norwood expects that students will conduct themselves when using technology according to the same high standards that they would use in all other aspects of their lives.
Classrooms
All classrooms at Norwood are equipped with a standard set of technology resources including a ceiling mounted, networked, wireless projector; screen; DVD/VCR player, and sound system. All Norwood teachers have tablet computers. Teachers and students with tablets are able to wirelessly and seamlessly connect to the projectors to display notes and work. Notes written on the tablets can then be emailed or posted by teachers on Haiku. Teachers, students, and parents use the Haiku Learning Management System to communicate, share information, and collaborate. Each division has a Technology Facilitator to assist teachers and students with curriculum, projects, and innovative ways to teach and learn.
Middle School
Norwood started its one-to-one laptop, and now tablet, program in 1998. All Norwood middle school students have their own tablet for use at home and at school throughout the school year. Students receive a tablet in Fifth Grade and are taught how to be responsible for the equipment and how to use it for academic purposes. Middle school students also have access to high-powered desktop computers, iPads, color printer, scanners, and a plotter in the Multimedia Center.
Lower School
Lower school students have access to desktop computers in the Lower School Lab as well as two tablet carts, each with 22 wireless tablets, available for use by third and fourth grade students, and a tablet cart for use by second grade students. The Lower School also has 20 iPads for use by teachers and students to explore creative applications for learning.
Additional Resources
Norwood students and teachers also have access to a vast array of educational technology software to enhance their skills and support learning. In addition, equipment such as digital cameras, video cameras, USB drives, printers, science probes, etc. are available for students and teachers.