Technology

At Congressional, technology is fully integrated into the curriculum through project-based learning. Teachers work collaboratively with Technology Coordinators to design classroom projects that integrate technology and curricula; grade-level workshops are provided for teachers periodically throughout the year to design projects. The project-based classroom activities focus on using technology to enhance instructional strategies. Project-based activities emphasize learning that is long-term, interdisciplinary, student-centered, and integrated with real world issues and practices. All of these factors expand the scope of the curricula in innovative ways. Students are presented with an authentic task that sets the context for learning the curriculum targeted. This is done for two important reasons:

• It helps students to make real life connections as to why learning the content is important;
  
• Presenting the curriculum in a project- based format targets the skills put forth by the Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) in a report produced by Secretary of Labor. The report outlines various skills that young people will need to practice for work-related success in the future.

Our two Technology Centers, provide access to the latest computer hardware and software. Congressional's extensive, fully networked technology infrastructure includes:

• High speed filtered Internet Access
• A set of wireless notebook computers for grades 3-8
• ePALS email for grades 1-8
• Computers in every classroom (Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle School)
• Digital and video cameras
• Scanners
• Color Laser Printers
  
  Congressional's two Technology Center’s offer excellent software and equipment for your child's education, including Microsoft Office Professional 2003, Encarta reference, Max’s Sandbox Scholastic Keys, Kidspiration, and various age appropriate educational software.