March Cover.indd - Saint Viator High School

12
LOCAL
After searching far and wide, Saint Viator says,
LOCAL 13
iChoose Y u, iPad!
Admin creates futuristic classroom with introduction of Apple tablets
Mia Mastandrea
Staff Writer
Fall of 2013 is bringing change to
Saint Viator. Everyone has either
heard the big news from their
parents or through the grapevine --
it’s no rumor. All incoming freshmen,
sophomores and juniors will be
exploring the unknown by using iPads
in their day-to-day education. This
decision didn’t happen overnight. It was
a long process which included gathering
information about what technology
the majority of the families already
had. A committee including parents,
students, administrators, teachers,
and technology coordinators visited
multiple schools currently using some
form of a tablet and spoke with a few
experts on technology.
After that they attended workshops on
the use of technology in classrooms. All
gave their input and came to the decision
together. Sophomore Megan Balas was a
part of this committee.
“My involvement included attending
weekly meetings, reviewing possible
equipment, analyzing parent/student
Mrs. Kirsten Anzalone uses AirServer
to project her iPad screen.
Photo by Katie Cooley
MARCH 2013
surveys to bring the perspective from
a student stand point on behalf of the
Saint Viator student body,” said Balas.
One of the very first things that hit
students and their families when hearing
about the iPad initiative is the cost. It
sounds like a lot but the money all evens
out in the end. According to Mrs. Manno,
we will use online text books, and the
next class of students won’t need to
purchase TI-84 calculators because they
will be able to just use an app. Not buying
that calculator saves another $100. By
buying the iPads from the school,
money can be saved on textbooks as well.
Mrs. Manno encourages students to
take the insurance. This covers not only
theft but damage also.
At Saint Viator, we are already
privileged to have a library, a computer
lab and a language lab all packed with
computers, not to mention the laptops
accessible in certain classrooms. Yet,
they are all PCs and run on a completely
different software than Apple.
“That’s why we have been progressively
been switching over to Google chrome,”
said Mrs. Manno, “Since you can share
information between both of the
devices. We got rid of [the] Microsoft
Office [course] and now we offer Google
Docs to make it more efficient for the
students.”
PCs are here to stay, and they will be
maintained and used just as before.
Technology is constantly improving.
Right now we, as high school students,
are young and stay current with social
media and technological gadgets, but
soon enough the next generation will be
far ahead of us. The staff of Viator is fully
aware that everyone is at different levels
when it comes to knowing technology.
“Every student will go through a
mandatory orientation,” said Mrs.
Manno, “It will be over the summer to
show the uses of all the apps needed.”
A lot of students have smartphones
which allow them to be in constant
interaction with anyone during the
school day. They have made it possible
for some students to cheat more easily,
but it’s not acceptable to take out a
phone during the day. In between
classes or during lunch, iPads will be out
and about. It appears that cheating will
be harder to catch.
Yet, Mrs. Manno said that “the iPad,
it’s like a textbook, but it offers learning
that’s limitless. Kids won’t cheat any
more than when they have now with
their phones.”
Students will not be the only ones
adjusting to this change. It involves
almost everyone in the building. Lessons
will need to change completely and rules
will most likely be altered.
“There are several apps for chemistry
and anatomy. We can use the virtual
lab to perform experiments that
are dangerous to do in class,” said
Mrs. Nicolau. “I am also excited to
have my anatomy students create
their own diagrams as they perform
dissections. Chemistry students will
be videoing lab experiments to create
presentations.”
She explained how any change is a
challenge, but this will make life easier in
the long run and be fun. She is sure that
it will be worth it. She is also excited to
hear the ideas that her students can come
up with that she hasn’t imagined yet.
Ready or not, iPads here we come.
iCarly Simonaitis
Local Editor
The future lies imminently upon
Saint Viator High School as
technological advancements
creep their way into the ordinary
student’s lifestyle. A fantasized digital
world is fast approaching in the fall of
2013 with the usage of iPads in the lives
of freshmen, sophomore, junior and
some senior students. Soon students
will thrive in an innovative and engaging
environment to enhance their studies
and application of their classes. Learning
will change with the help of apps in the
classroom. Like many teachers, French
teacher Madame Lenée Soto plans on
implementing apps into her general
curriculum for both her upper and lower
level classes.
“[I found] apps that bring in more
current and real culture, like radio and
news articles,” says Madame Soto.
The “iPad Initiative” will bring a more
creative spin to learning with the usage
of apps, internet and other digital tools.
The iPads will not only enhance the
classroom experience, but also may take
away from the “traditional” viewpoint of
a school classroom. Standard textbooks
for all classes will phase into e-books.
Calculators will gradually be dropped
in favor of using calculator apps on the
iPad. Perhaps even backpack sizes will
change.
“I would have a smaller backpack,” said
sophomore Angella Kilabo.
With such a new technological
advancement destined for the halls of
Saint Viator, new rules and expectations
will be mandated for students. Students
will now be responsible for proper
Art by Justin Cruz, Kyong Yoo, and Mikhaela Correa (from left)
Student body and faculty respond to the revamping of old-school scene
care of their iPad, downloading only
appropriate materials and carrying
proper accessories for their device.
Accessories the school requires include
a cover, screen protector and ear buds.
It is recommended to keep chargers in
backpacks.
With all these new regulations
and responsibilities, will teachers’
expectations for students be different?
Junior Eliana
“
Rivera said no.
“I [think
iPads] will cause
more problems
with them
shutting down
and needing
recharging. It’ll
be harder and
cause more problems than [work] being
on a piece of paper.”
Fewer problems will arise if students
follow new “homework” assignments,
like charging their iPad nightly. In the
occurrence that an iPad is broken or
stolen, students would be able to use and
keep Saint Viator issued loaner devices
up to three weeks while their device is
either replaced or fixed.
With Apple products a popular device
for leisure and play, how will students
restrain themselves for using their iPads
for recreational use over educational?
“I will try very hard,” said sophomore
Anthony Zanocco. “[I’ll stay focused]
by watching informational YouTube
videos.”
Other students hope to use their iPad’s
device settings to prevent distractions.
“I’ll probably look for some sort
of setting,” said freshman Brandon
Education is always
changing...there will be a
learning curve, but I think it’ll
have a lot of great things for us.
—Dean Scerbicke
McGinley, “But memory would be a
concern. I wouldn’t download games
because of memory.”
Senior Jackie Montalvo, a former Viator
student, now attends Palatine High
School. Her school implemented iPads
into the curriculum this year. She admits
it is difficult to restrain herself from
recreational usage, but it is also easier
to carry around one iPad rather than
several textbooks.
“Yes, it’s awesome
to have this device,
but you really
have to try to stay
focused on your
assignments,” said
Montalvo.
Many students
will have to stay
focused or else disciplinary action will
be taken. The student handbook is
currently under revision to tailor the
rules to a new digital-schooling world.
There will also be an iPad Authorized
Use Policy, further persuading students
to abide by the rules.
“There will be a usage policy for
students to sign off on,” said Dean
Deborah Scerbicke.
New policies will coincide with an iPad
orientation, where students will learn
more about appropriate behavior with
their new device and specifics on certain
app downloads. These new guidelines fit
the changing times of the world, most
notably within the school.
“Education is always changing,” said
Dean Scerbicke. “In light of this new
reality, [there will be] a learning curve,
but I think it’ll have a lot of great things
for us.”
MARCH 2013
Saint Viator High School www.saintviator.com 1213 E. Oakton, Arlington Heights, IL theviatorvoice@gmail.com
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