Laptop Program Machines change way of life. This was one of the key points of a discussion some seniors had about the Industrial revolution. Their discussion, however, was conducted a bit differently than you would tend to expect. Instead of sitting in a circle and talking about their ideas, they used their own laptops to type their thoughts and send them to an online chatroom. Thanks to an anonymous donor and special funds, laptops were purchased for all teachers and seniors. Executive Director, Greg Ernst, has taken the lead in piloting the senior laptop program. Students are responsible for connecting their laptop to a main hub before class begins, providing them with internet access. Then they are invited into the online discussion group or chatroom that has been established by their instructor. The seniors view lessons, take notes, and complete homework assignments using their laptop. They even use their laptops to take tests that are later emailed back to their teacher for grading. If a student is unable to come to school they are still able to be a part of the class through the online discussion group. These machines have changed the way our students learn. Computers allow students to be constantly engaged and create a fun learning environment. They also help to improve literacy. This way of communicating requires students to spell and read words during every exchange improving their English. Most students prefer typing on a computer rather than writing on a piece of paper. Typing is an easier and faster way for our students to communicate. Let’s not forget the very helpful spell-check that is right at their fingertips. But as one student said there is a downside to it all. You can’t say your dog ate your homework anymore. “You can say it got a virus though”, replied one ingenious senior. Technology has also enhanced learning for some of our students with cerebral palsey and/or developmental delays, who often prefer communicating with pictures. An interactive program called Intellipics helps these students learn to draw, count, recognize words/pictures, and work with cause and effect. Speech therapist Annette Cosgrove was one of the first at St. Rita School to realize just how these computer programs could benefit our special students. An alternative touchpad keyboard is used to help these students overcome physical limitations. There are interchangeable full-color overlays that slide into the front of the keyboard providing customized settings for specific activities. Thanks to Annette’s vision and help from administrators, students are now using their very own state-of-the-art computer systems to learn.

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