Our Gruss Computer Labs
Through the generosity of the Caroline and Joseph S. Gruss Life Monument Funds, Inc., we have a new computer lab for our academic grades and a new computer area for our kindergarterners. The new lab consists of 22 desktop computers equipped with SuccessMaker Enterprise courseware. The kindergarten computer area, located right in our kindergarten classroom, houses four computers equipped with Waterford Early Learning courseware.
About Waterford Computer Program: Kindergarten
The Kindergarten Gruss Computer Lab is located directly inside the General Studies classroom and consists of four brand new computers loaded with the Waterford Early Learning courseware.
Waterford Early Learning courseware is installed on the four computers located in our kindergarten classrooms. The courseware gives our youngest students access to Early ABC/Reading Readiness and Early Math and Science Readiness programs. These programs help children build a solid foundation of skills they need to become successful learners. The activities adapt to each child’s pace, engaging each child with a fun and easy-to-use interface, and presenting offline materials to enhance skills.
Waterford is a self-directed program that encourages children to explore and try different activities on their own, promoting confidence and independence. Each program moves children from an introduction to a mastery of critical concepts. As they complete the activities, their teachers receive printouts confirming the part of the curriculum they have just worked on or the skills they have mastered.
Each program has a set of videos, DVDs, and books to coordinate with what the children are learning.
About SuccessMaker Enterprise Grades 1-5
SuccessMaker Enterprise courseware creates a learning environment where each kindergartener is assessed according to his/her capabilities, and is then presented material that is automatically adjusted to this individual level.
Students from grades 1-5 work in the Gruss Computer Lab on SuccessMaker Enterprise 2 times per week in math and reading for 40 minutes each session.
SuccessMaker Enterprise courseware assesses each student’s capabilities and then creates a learning environment specific to each child’s learning level and style. Students in our lower school, grades 1 through 5, work on SuccessMaker Enterprise courseware twice each week in math and reading. SuccessMaker Enterprise employs a variety of instructional and motivational strategies to ensure each child’s mastery of mathematic and reading concepts. Children are given multiple opportunities to master each concept, with periodic rechecks of these skills to ensure long-term retention.
Every student’s progress is assessed and reported after each session, and lab site managers, classroom teachers, and administrators regularly review students’ progress. These reports enable teachers to more effectively strategize and target classroom instruction.
Through user-friendly prompts, animation, and music, this courseware motivates and challenges every child, and develops independence and self-esteem.