My Backyard

Robert Merill, left, a teacher at New England Christian Academy of Swansea, instructs students during a class recently in the school’s new computer laboratory. Students shown, from left, are Jordan Velletri, Amanda Correll and Hannah Mahoney. (Photo courtesy of New England Christian Academy)

SWANSEA – To enhance its curriculum and improve technological opportunities for students, New England Christian Academy of Swansea has opened a new computer laboratory this year at its campus located at 271 Sharps Lot Road.

NECA’s computer lab features 20 brand new computer stations, including monitors, computers, software programs, printers, server, Power Point projectors and Internet access. All students attending the school in grades kindergarten through 12 spend one class period weekly improving their computer and educational abilities.

“The computer lab is something we have wanted to do for many years and we felt that this year was the best time to start it,” said NECA Guidance Director Joyce Pratt. “In the past, we have had limited computer programs for our high school students, but we knew we also needed something for our middle school and elementary school students.”

The cornerstone of NECA’s computer program is the Technology Resource Center sponsored jointly by Boston University and the University of Richmond as the “University Technology Partnership” for students in kindergarten through Grade 8. This program is billed as “the most comprehensive technology tool available to schools today, providing students with tools to develop technology skills while integrating classroom subject material.

NECA this year signed a three-year agreement with the UTP to provide software for four curriculum areas, with a different unit used each quarter of the school year. The four units integrate primary technology, ongoing technology and academic emphases in social studies, language arts, mathematics and science to help students produce illustrated reports, classroom presentations, newsletters and slide presentations.

Through the UTP program, NECA students learn by using specific tools as Internet research, word processing, graphic design and spreadsheets. The program is based on more than 350 literacy objectives in nine different technology areas and the curriculum is designed to be integrated with classroom studies so that students learn to use computers as tools for developing projects and presentations.

NECA teachers participate in ongoing and comprehensive training programs to develop their skills in instructional theory, curriculum integration and application software. Technical assistance is provided by Richmond and BU technology coordinators.

“This program provides our students with the finest technology educational available today,” Pratt said. “It gives students everything they need to successfully develop technology skills and integrate classroom subject material to create exciting and fun projects.”

Further information about NECA and its technology programs is available by e-mailing neca02777@yahoo.com, or accessing its Web site at www.faithwebsites.com/neca.