Instructional Technology

Mantua: A Basic School Powered by Technology incorporates an educational philosophy which integrates a technology-rich, interdisciplinary environment rooted within the framework of Ernest Boyer's Basic School. At Mantua, technology is viewed not as an end to itself, but rather as a tool that augments the four pillars of the Basic School: The School as Community (bringing into focus how people relate to one another and work cooperatively to solve problems), a Curriculum with Coherence (bringing an interdisciplinary approach to the acquisition of knowledge), a Climate for Learning (providing the physical and motivational factors necessary for effective teaching and learning), and a Commitment to Character (emphasizing how the school experience shapes the ethical and moral lives of children).

Students and staff use technology to make connections across disciplines and to integrate and apply literacy skills in language, mathematics, and the arts. Mantua Basic School accommodates many learning styles and philosophies. Rather than focusing on a specific learning paradigm, Mantua's teachers seek to integrate coherently those methods which are most appropriate for the objective at hand, while providing an environment that supports an effective education for every child. Technology is one tool that empowers this acquisition of knowledge; students and teachers use it to simplify, facilitate, and enhance the learning process.

The Mantua Technology Program includes: A networked infrastructure of Macintosh computers, PC desktop and laptop computers, wireless Apple and Dell portable computer labs; application and file servers, eMate laptops and peripherals; DVD, CD and videodisc players, video cameras, digital cameras, and classroom televisions which support distributed group learning across grade levels as well as individual endeavors to acquire information, analyze data, solve problems, and prepare homework and multimedia presentations. Focus Centers which provide opportunities to extend learning beyond traditional classroom walls. These centers include a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV), Video, CD-ROM, and video production facility; an interactive Distance Learning Center; and a thirty-seat Computer Lab with Internet access.

For more information on how technology is used, please click on the links below:

Classroom Technology                  Distance Learning Center

Computer Lab                               Visual Literacy Project