Technology

Historically, Lamplighter has held to the philosophy that technology should be utilized as a tool to empower users. This philosophy put Lamplighter on the forefront of technology with young children. LOGO was the forerunner of the MicroWorlds software that is still being utilized in the curriculum today. 

Lamplighter consistently strives to be the best that it can be.  When it comes to technology, we implement open-ended software programs such as MicroWorlds and many others.  All of the software at Lamplighter focuses on some aspect of problem solving.  The students and teachers at Lamplighter also engage in online distance learning projects with schools all over the world.  Digital cameras and digital video cameras are put into use on a regular basis around Lamplighter for all kinds of interesting projects.   The internet is also used frequently as a research tool.  There are many other new and exciting things, dealing with technology, going on at Lamplighter all of the time. 

In early childhood, computers are primarily used as centers.  The main focus is exploration of both software and hardware.  In first grade, students learn basic programming and animation with Microworlds.  They complete a variety of projects that include a family project, a Valentine project, an animated scene from a book, a pen pal project and many more.  The first graders also participate in the making of a digital video for their pen pals in New York City.  The second graders work diligently on many integrated MicroWorlds projects.  They have also learned to import digital pictures into their projects as well as animate creatively.  The third graders also work with MicroWorlds.  They improve their animation skills and build on what they have learned the previous years.  The third graders also polish their typing skills with a program called UltraKey.  In fourth grade, everything comes together.  Some students film and create a digital video using iMovie.  They also learn programming at a new level.  They create elaborate MicroWorlds projects as a result of what they have learned in previous years and new skills that they acquire in fourth grade.  The fourth graders also have the special opportunity to participate in a program called “LEGO Science.”  In LEGO Science, the fourth grade students create moveable inventions that they are able to program.