Plainview Pre-School Launches First Wireless Laptop Computer Technology Program for Preschoolers
Looking for the perfect gift for that hard to please 3 or 4 year old? Wireless laptops are at the top of the list for some 100 children at Louisville’s Plainview Pre-school. This fall, students began using wireless laptops in one of the country’s first wireless computer labs just for preschoolers! It is all part of the ground breaking educational approaches at Plainview Pre-School designed to boost preschooler’s brainpower and future college readiness at a cost that won’t turn parents into scrooges. Students receive weekly instruction in the school’s new wireless computer lab plus classroom visits with an assortment of technological equipment including laptops, digital cameras, recording devices, and listening centers. According to the school officials, this gives children a chance to use technology for real problem solving rather than just for entertainment and since appropriate stimuli such as engaging hands-on activities with computers enhances early brain development, the school believes laptops are the perfect choice for a preschooler’s small hand size. The cost for the program is included in the school's unique tuition structure which school officials says offers a high quality program and at a cost well below what many other preschool programs charge.
Louisville, KY (PRWEB) December 20, 2004 -- Looking for the perfect gift for
that hard to please 3 or 4 year old? Wireless laptops are at the top of the list
for some 100 children at Louisville’s Plainview Pre-school. This fall, students
began using wireless laptops in one of the country’s first wireless computer
labs just for preschoolers! It is all part of the ground breaking educational
approaches at Plainview Pre-School designed to boost preschooler’s brainpower
and future college readiness at a cost that won’t turn parents into scrooges.
Throughout the week, students receive instruction in the school’s new
wireless computer lab equipped with new Dell Latitude laptops and mobile
wireless technology. Plus the computer/technology teacher brings laptops,
digital cameras, and recording devices into each classroom. According to the
school, the program gives children a chance to use technology for real problem
solving rather than just for entertainment and since appropriate stimuli such as
engaging hands-on activities with computers enhances early brain development,
laptops are the perfect choice for a preschooler’s small hand size.
The
wireless computer and technology program at Plainview School is fully integrated
with the school’s Learning Framework Curriculum – a curriculum based on
Kentucky’s new standards for 3 and 4 year olds that matches preschool subject
matters with elementary school subject matters like Math, Science, Literacy, Art
& Humanities, and Social Studies. "Throughout elementary school, technology
integration is growing widely and we are thrilled to be one of the first
pre-schools in the country to launch this type of program,” said school
Curriculum Director Carolyn Savko. “Plus we’re amazed at how well the children
have been responding to it. Many parents have even said their child has passed
them up!”
“A lot of parents have shied away from these types of preschool
programs because of the traditional high cost of a high quality program,” said
Savko. “This year, we created an affordable tuition structure which includes low
student to teacher ratios, experienced/tenured/degreed teachers, our full
Learning Framework curriculum, and the wireless technology program – all for one
monthly tuition price lower than what many other programs in town charge” said
Savko.
Eventually, the school hopes the wireless technology will allow
teachers to directly link instruction to the real world. "Let's say, for example
we are doing a lesson on space,” said Carolyn Savko, “We can first visit the
NASA site where we can explore the space shuttle, the children may then read a
story in class about the shuttle, and then move to create our own shuttles in an
art or math project -- and return to the Web site for ideas. Interactive
technology makes it easier to create an environment in which children are
learning by doing." The wireless format will eventually allow teachers to use
their time more efficiently and productively. “During quiet time, having a
laptop allows the teacher to plan lessons, prescreen websites, download new
curriculum activities, and e-mail progress reports to parents. This makes for a
greater focus on the children, better planned activities, and improved parental
communications,” said Savko.
Plainview Pre-School is Kentucky's largest
private early childhood school. Since 1974, Plainview has prepared thousands of
children for accelerated learning in elementary school and has earned a
reputation for excellence. In 2002, former Kentucky Governor Patton recognized
Plainview as a model of preschool education during his visit to the school.
Congresswoman Anne Northup recognized Plainview in 1999 for “preparing children
for accelerated learning.” In 2004, Plainview School partnered with the
University of Louisville to lead Kentucky in cutting edge early learning methods
by teaching piano and music as a means to accelerate preschooler’s math and
science skills and teaching the language of Latin to boost emerging literacy
skills and future SAT scores.
For information about this release, contact
the Administration Office, Plainview School, 10320 Timberwood Circle,
Louisville, Kentucky 40223, (502) 244-5753, FAX (502) 245-3559, www.plainviewschool.com.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/12/prweb190293.htm