Academics

Technology

Embracing technology...

The Emma Willard School Technology Statement serves as the foundational guide for how technology is used throughout Emma Willard:

Emma Willard School aims to create a community where technology is used positively, safely, and with integrity. Drawing from our school mission to foster a love of learning and the habits of an intellectual life, we teach students to be curious and adaptable when making informed, thoughtful choices about technology. We strive to teach our students the skills and confidence to navigate responsibly and contribute productively as empathetic citizens in a digital world. In the classroom, we believe the purpose of educational technology is to enhance and support teaching and learning while respecting our foundational educational pedagogies. We also recognize the power of educational technology in extending learning and its ability to provide experiences that might not otherwise have been possible. Most importantly, we encourage our community to find a healthy balance when making decisions about technology use both in and out of the classroom.

Technology Initiatives

At Emma Willard, we are constantly striving to create new and exciting opportunities for both students and faculty to engage with technology outside of the classroom in ways that are purposeful for the Emma Willard community. This helps members create connections with the community and empower students to develop leadership skills while also learning about technology’s role in the world. Here are some examples of these initiatives:

List of 7 items.

A/V Team

A/V Team is a group of students who are enrolled in our Technical Theatre class who use their knowledge of theatrical lighting, sound, stage management, and the backstage world to support short-term performance events such as dance concerts, music concerts, weekly, assemblies, and guest speakers.
Educational Technology Team

The Ed Tech Team is a group of classroom teachers, librarians, resident faculty, and technologists who meet on a regular basis to discuss how technology is used at Emma, how to best support teaching and learning, and how to find a healthy balance when using technology in daily life.
Emma Genius

Emma Genius is a group of student volunteers who provide help to others in the community fixing technology issues and tips for how to best utilize technology at Emma.
Maker Space

Our Maker Space in the basement of the Dietel Library you can try your hand at making fun 3D-printed creations, buttons, and more. From low-tech to high-tech, the possibilities are endless!
Robotics

Emma Robotics Club members learn engineering and programming skills as they build competitive robots that compete in local VEX Robotics competitions.
STEAM 9 Research

Steam 9 Research is for ninth graders who are interested in a STEAM field (science, technology, engineering, arts, math). Students begin by exploring several hands-on projects with select faculty. During the second phase, students explore one of these projects independently, and give a final poster presentation on their work to the school community. Students maintain a portfolio to document their work. Enrollment is by application.
STEAM 10 Research

STEAM 10 Research is for tenth graders who have demonstrated interest in a STEAM field (science, technology, engineering, arts, math). Students begin by identifying their STEAM interests, and are then matched with select faculty, who further develop their ideas into an individual project. Students work on their projects for the entire academic year, and give a final poster presentation before the school community. Students maintain a portfolio to document their work.

Access

Emma Willard School has a BYOD (“Bring Your Own Device”) policy requiring students to have a working laptop computer while at Emma Willard. Laptops are used both inside and outside of the classroom. On campus, students have access to shared computers in the Dietel Library and printers located in the basement of Slocum Hall, on the main floor of the Dietel Library, and in the 2E-cafe. Wireless internet access is available throughout the entire campus. All classrooms are equipped with modern audio visual equipment. An Arts Lab equipped with iMacs is used for Digital Art & Photography courses.

Tech Tools

List of 4 items.

Google Workspace

Google Workspace - Emma Willard School’s preferred productivity suite includes Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Students will use Google Workspace to complete a majority of their coursework and to collaborate with other students.
MyEmma

MyEmma - Our Learning Management System is the starting point for all things learning. On MyEmma, students check their classes for coursework, assignments, and discussions. Students also use MyEmma to keep in touch with groups and clubs, message teachers, and check their grades and progress.
Technology Resource Board

Visit the Technology Resource Board on MyEmma to get information about laptop requirements, links to our Mac and Dell shops, and much more!
Third-party Tools

Emma Willard School uses multiple third-party applications and web-based services, many of which require a student login, use a generic login, and/or store student information. We believe that these educational programs are essential to the learning experience. The Technology Department evaluates the privacy policy and terms of service of these third-party applications to best protect student privacy and data while supporting the learning experience. If you have any questions about which tools may be used by your student, please contact Nick Marchese (nmarchese@emmawillard.org).

Get Tech Help

helpdesk@emmawillard.org
Email our HelpDesk or drop by the Help Desk in the basement of Slocum Hall to get assistance with technology issues. If you want to communicate directly with someone from our Technology Department, please find their information below.

Nick Marchese
Director of Academic Technology
518-833-1897
nmarchese@emmawillard.org

Judith Curry
Director of Administrative Computing
518-833-1316
jcurry@emmawillard.org

Danny Whelchel
Computer Specialist
518-833-1317
dwhelchel@emmawillard.org

Tech News

List of 3 news stories.

Virtually Emma: Technologically Speaking
4/28/2020
Interview with Nick Marchese

The process of shifting Emma Willard School's learning atmosphere to Virtually Emma took rapid and extensive planning and creativity. As students were departing for the spring recess, the academic and technology teams geared up to tackle the transformation. Academic Technology Coordinator Nick Marchese took a moment to share some behind-the-scenes insight into this new adventure in learning.
Virtually Emma: Online Learning Launches
4/9/2020
Suzanne Romero Dewey

What are the essential elements in a learning environment and how do you rapidly put on-campus teaching and learning into a digital format for 355 students scattered around the globe in the midst of a pandemic? Thanks to a dedicated faculty, the forethought of a head of school, and an academic dean with a can-do attitude, online learning launched this week.
Jessica Z. '22 and Lucy Z. '21 Earn Computer Science Honors
1/31/2020
Melissia Mason

Emma Willard School is excited to announce that two of our students have won National Honorable Mention Awards for the 2020 National Center for Women & Information Technology Aspirations in Computing Awards. Jessica Z. '22 and Lucy Z. '21 were two of 360 girls selected from more than 4,700 amazing, talented young women to receive the honorable mention distinction.