When students and teachers heard that there was a new school opening, there was a mix of excitement, anger, and nervousness. However, with the school year finally beginning, many have switched to the excited state of mind. One thing that has helped so many people have a change of heart is the technology.
“Just the mindset of helping start a new school and establishing a community that is aware of saving energy and paper is exciting,” Technology Integration Specialist Layne Funk said.
There are also many ways that the green theme of the school plays a part through the technology. For example, there are three different ways that lights will turn off automatically in the rooms. There are light sensors, motion sensors and CO2 sensors, as well as automatic dimmers. The heating and cooling system comes up from the ground, which also saves energy. Another example of the school’s commitment to the environment is by not putting a printer in every room.
“Being able to print less and recycle paper is a big part of being environmentally friendly,” Principal Scott Roberts said. “There aren’t printers in every classroom, which will hopefully produce less paper waste.”
Another thing the school hopes to use the technology for is developing social media networks. There is a Southwest application for the iPod now. Allowing students to access resources and stay connected with the school is very important to Roberts.
“The purpose of technology is to be a tool for learning,” Roberts said. “Things like the dual-interface smart boards [smart boards that allow two students to use it at once] will hopefully enhance students learning.”
While Southwest doesn’t exactly have different technology, we do have newer versions of things. Take the flat screens in the commons for example. They will be used for announcements throughout the school day. Also, computers will run on Windows 7, and include Office 2007.
“I’m excited for the new computers,” Junior Kristin Sontag said. “I forget my textbooks a lot, and now hopefully it will be easier to get them online at home and stuff. There will also be more resources and periodicals I hope, which allow for better and easier research.”
While new technology is exciting, some students may find it daunting. Not to worry, though. Plenty of teachers throughout the building know what they are doing, and will be happy to help anyone who needs it – just don’t be afraid to ask.
“The staff and students are all going to be learning together,” Funk said. “There will also be some teachers that are trained, to help students get more comfortable with the technology.”
As for the rumor of every student getting a laptop?
“We aren’t doing that.” Roberts said. “The district has looked into it, but isn’t doing it. There is plenty of technology at the students disposal; there are 842 total computers.”
Speaking of computers, there are 736 HP computers total, 90 iMacs, and 16 MacBook Pros. That makes for a grand total of 842 computers in the building. This number includes ten portable laptop carts that teachers can check out, each carrying 30 laptops.
“I hope the technology will be advantageous to learning in the classroom, allowing students to explore,” Funk said. “There aren’t a lot of sites blocked, which allows freedom and more leeway for students and teachers to find resources.”
With all the technology in the building, who wouldn’t be excited? There will even be wireless internet access out in the courtyard. As the school year kicks off, we need to embrace this technology and use it to our advantage, and put our best technological foot forward.
There are also many ways that the green theme of the school plays a part through the technology. For example, there are three different ways that lights will turn off automatically in the rooms. There are light sensors, motion sensors and CO2 sensors, as well as automatic dimmers. The heating and cooling system comes up from the ground, which also saves energy. Another example of the school’s commitment to the environment is by not putting a printer in every room.
“Being able to print less and recycle paper is a big part of being environmentally friendly,” Principal Scott Roberts said. “There aren’t printers in every classroom, which will hopefully produce less paper waste.”
Another thing the school hopes to use the technology for is developing social media networks. There is a Southwest application for the iPod now. Allowing students to access resources and stay connected with the school is very important to Roberts.
“The purpose of technology is to be a tool for learning,” Roberts said. “Things like the dual-interface smart boards [smart boards that allow two students to use it at once] will hopefully enhance students learning.”
While Southwest doesn’t exactly have different technology, we do have newer versions of things. Take the flat screens in the commons for example. They will be used for announcements throughout the school day. Also, computers will run on Windows 7, and include Office 2007.
“I’m excited for the new computers,” Junior Kristin Sontag said. “I forget my textbooks a lot, and now hopefully it will be easier to get them online at home and stuff. There will also be more resources and periodicals I hope, which allow for better and easier research.”
While new technology is exciting, some students may find it daunting. Not to worry, though. Plenty of teachers throughout the building know what they are doing, and will be happy to help anyone who needs it – just don’t be afraid to ask.
“The staff and students are all going to be learning together,” Funk said. “There will also be some teachers that are trained, to help students get more comfortable with the technology.”
As for the rumor of every student getting a laptop?
“We aren’t doing that.” Roberts said. “The district has looked into it, but isn’t doing it. There is plenty of technology at the students disposal; there are 842 total computers.”
Speaking of computers, there are 736 HP computers total, 90 iMacs, and 16 MacBook Pros. That makes for a grand total of 842 computers in the building. This number includes ten portable laptop carts that teachers can check out, each carrying 30 laptops.
“I hope the technology will be advantageous to learning in the classroom, allowing students to explore,” Funk said. “There aren’t a lot of sites blocked, which allows freedom and more leeway for students and teachers to find resources.”
With all the technology in the building, who wouldn’t be excited? There will even be wireless internet access out in the courtyard. As the school year kicks off, we need to embrace this technology and use it to our advantage, and put our best technological foot forward.