The Rattler PIT is Magnolia's state of the art technology lab. The lab is designed by teachers to be used for integrating technology with the daily curriculum. There are 60 Intel based Macintosh iMac computers making it possible to teach two separate classes or accommodate two classes working on the same project. It is a project based lab, meaning that teachers do not have assigned times, but sign up by projects. The main focus of the technology integration is to encourage students to be authors of multimedia projects. There are four factors that the designers took into consideration when building the lab.
The computers must be operational at all times. Tech support in a timely manner is critical to well functioning technology, which in turn leads to successful projects.
Each side of the lab must have enough computers to accommodate an entire class.
There must be a Technology Curriculum Specialist available at all times to help design and implement the projects.
The content of the technology projects must be standards based curriculum, allowing teachers to accomplish what they do in the classroom with technology, not making it another subject to teach, but an integration of the curriculum with the technology.
Jeff Peach
Technology Curriculum Specialist
Jeff Peach is the Technology Curriculum Specialist for Magnolia School. His main role is to work with teachers and students, helping them integrate the daily curriculum with technology.
Jeff Peach has been teaching since 1989. He began as a regular classroom teacher in 6th grade, but his love for technology led him to his current title as the Technology Curriculum Specialist. He received a Master's Degree from California State University, Sacramento, in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Technology. Aside from driving the day to day technology needs of the school, he has helped many of the Magnolia students win awards with their technology projects at the California Student Media Festival. He is also the director of the award winning Rattler PIT Productions.