The new technology lab is the pride and joy of Michael Gamson, Technology Coordinator at the Hillel School of Tampa.  “We introduced $30,000 of computer hardware and software upgrades,” says Mr. Gamson, “including a twenty station state-of-the-art computer lab with an interactive smart board.”  Computer technology is part of life for students at Hillel.  “My generation is one of digital immigrants,” continues Mr. Gamson, “while kids today are digital natives.  Using computers is a way in which they learn, and education must keep up with them.  We can see computers as either competition for their attention or as a tool.  By taking education to where the kids are, we gain a very powerful educational vehicle.”

The focus of Hillel’s technology program is integration.  Computers do not exist in a vacuum, and the weekly technology class, taken from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade, is by no means the only exposure to technology in the school.  Teachers regularly use the lab to teach lessons, and there are additional computers in each classroom.

Young children learn about hardware and safety skills, using “Kids’ Desk,” a specially created E-child environment, with hardware-identification and academic skills built into the software.  The Intermediate Division, grades two to five, learn productivity application skills, such as Excel, Power Point, Word, and file management.  Middle School is the culmination of technology studies, and computer skills comprise part of students’ grades.  Students work on science fair project graphs in the computer lab, prepare digital presentations for various classes, publish web logs, create Hillel’s yearbook digitally using ‘real world’ publishing applications, and build skills that are essential in today’s world.  Each Middle School student has his or her own digital portfolio on the school’s network, a portfolio they can access from home.  “We create a copy of each student’s portfolio and give it to them as part of graduation,” says Mr. Gamson.  “Overall, we see technology as a great equalizer.  Students with different backgrounds and different needs have the same tools at the desktop.”