Technology at Gordon - Raising the Mind and Spirit
Grant Will Provide State-Of-The-Art Computer Lab
The Coatesville School District has recently been awarded a $210,000 grant from the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund. The state grant will be used to network computers throughout the city of Coatesville for students and residents with the hub of the program located at Gordon Middle School.
The district plans to build a state-of-the-art resource center with up to 30 computers at Gordon and place at least one computer at six locations in the city. Those locations include City Hall, Coatesville Catholic, the Coatesville Community Center, the YWCA, the Senior Citizens' Center and the Public Library.
The resource center at Gordon will serve many purposes. During school hours, students will use the lab for the minor course in computers and major subject classes will also utilize the lab for research, Internet lessons and projects and other applications.
The resource center also will serve as a community technology center. This center will afford students to use technology in an extended day/school year capacity and allow the community access during non-traditional hours for personal, remedial, enrichment and lifelong improvement opportunities.
Networked Computer Laboratory
Technology is an integral aspect of the Gordon Middle School curriculum. Nearly every student takes computers as a minor subject for a full year and major-subject teachers use the lab for writing and other activities. The class focuses on keyboarding, word processing, spreadsheets, drawing, desktop publishing, writing, graphics and databases.
Our computer lab consists of 31 networked IBM-compatible computers, running the Windows 3.1 operating system. Our library has four more computers hooked up to the server and students have use of a LaserJet printer. To access the network, every student has a login number and a password as well as a floppy disc to save files.
Recently, we got hooked to the Internet in Room 201 and students will be introduced to the basics of navigating through the World Wide Web. Students must hand in a completed Internet release form to use the Internet on any computer in the Coatesville Area School District. These forms, which must be signed by the user as well as a parent or guardian, can be picked up in Room 201 or in the library.
Computer Curriculum Corporation
Gordon students enjoyed using a new software program in mathematics during the 1997-98 school year called Computer Curriculum Corporation. Each students spent at least 25 hours on the individualized program that specifically targets the needs of that student. During the 1998-98 year, plans are for the CCC program to be expanded to language arts.
Morning Announcements
Another exciting technological activity at Gordon is delivery of the morning announcements on WGMS. Every morning our student council members produce and videotape the announcements, which are piped into every homeroom through TV monitors. Gordon's PTO provided a state-of-the-art camcorder and council members serve as news anchors, with guest appearances by faculty and administrators. The program is supervised by Mr. Alex DiGuiseppe.
Project ExCITE
Gordon Middle School also is a member of Project ExCITE, a technology-oriented program funded by NASA and run by nearby Lincoln University. The program aims to reinvigorate public education at the middle school level by using science and technology as catalysts. Gordon is using many technologies such as video, computers and the Internet, and photography to explore and research the growing problem of Lyme Disease.