Leading Technology
We recognize the power and potential of technology and utilize it effectively.
At Manhattan Day School, we embrace the differentiation and personalized learning opportunities that devices, educational technology tools and apps provide our student body. We recognize the power and potential of these tools and utilize them effectively and wisely to further our educational and curricular goals. Technology is not a specific subject at MDS, but rather it is integrated and utilized across all subjects to enhance our students’ learning and to help them develop 21st century skills.
Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are a part of our one-to-one iPad program, which focuses on individual use of the iPad as an educational tool. Having access to this technology enables our students to have access to information at their fingertips.
Students in grades 1-5 have access to and utilize school devices as well. Students in Grades 1-3 follow the weekly computers curriculum using our school Chromebook cart. This allows students to familiarize themselves with basic computer and typing skills which will benefit them in the later grades. Additionally, this Chromebook cart, as well as an iPad cart, are available for use in the the classroom as teachers see fit. These devices can be used for projects, research, reinforcement of skills and many other engaging possibilities. These devices are used to enhance classes both in General and Judaic studies across all the grade levels.
Students in early childhood have access to these tools as well. The Nursery 4 and Kindergarten classes have iPads and apps available to them to support lessons and curriculum. The apps cover a range of subjects and are specifically geared to support Literacy Skills such as letter recognition, oral language, vocabulary, phonemic awareness (isolation of sounds within words), and math skills. The apps also cover Judaic studies and support handwriting and fine motor skills.
MDS is also a Google school. We utilize Google Apps for Education in grades 1-8. Students in grades 1-5 learn to utilize Google Drive to collaborate, create and store documents, and share them with their teachers and fellow students. Students in grades 6-8 receive their own accounts and email addresses where they can capitalize on all that this resource has to offer. This allows them to better communicate with teachers and fellow students, to collaborate in class, and to work efficiently on research and various projects.
At MDS, we understand that teacher education and professional development is of the utmost importance. All of our teachers receive training in how to best use these devices to help students engage in lessons in a meaningful way and to help them develop their 21st century skills. Additionally, our staff attends webinars, workshops and other collaborative learning opportunities to ensure that our school and staff stay current and continue to provide our students with the best opportunities to succeed now and in the future.
