Looking around, it seems as if everyone has a new iPhone™ or Kindle™ e-reader in hand. They proudly flaunt their devices in class to the point where teachers threaten to confiscate them. However, there are rare moments when students are able to use their beloved technology in class, for class. These occasions are becoming more and more frequent, as similar devices are now encouraged for certain classes, and educational purposes.
As of now, most schools still use decrepit old textbooks and buy crisp new novels every so often. There are an increasing number of schools, including our local middle school that distributes sleek gadgets in class for learning. The truth is, even though it may seem far-fetched, using new technology for schooling is the future.
Some VHS students’ siblings enrolled in H.B. Whitehorne Middle School have been ecstatically reporting to their older brothers and sisters that they’ve been utilizing Apple® products in their classes. So far the science department of the school has been using them the most. Specifically, science teachers Carol Thomas and Andor Kish, who also teaches technology, applied for a grant allowing them to purchase iPads™ and iPods™ for classroom use.
“It’s coming on slowly,” said Mrs. Thomas of the use of the iPads™. They are primarily used for the resourceful science and current event applications, also known as apps, available through Apple®. She also makes mention that the French teacher used the Apple® products for a project, and the Art of Speaking class was able to record speeches using the devices.
E-books and e-readers are also making a bigger impact on English classes than ever before. Whether gifted to teenagers for a holiday or just for their convenience, e-books such as the Amazon Kindle™ and the Barnes & Noble Nook™ are starting to find a home within the younger community. Bought for their small size, light weight, and capacity for many virtual books, millions of these devices have been sold. Some students at VHS own one, and report using it for out-of-class assignments.
“I have absolutely no problem with students using [e-readers] for reading assignments,” VHS English teacher Marie Meyer said, because she realizes that today’s students are “so technology oriented.” She herself owns a Kindle™, but admits not using it often because she finds herself distracted, and more conscious of the act of reading than focused on the text itself. Dr. Meyer tends to buy actual books rather than virtual books via her e-reader, but does not deny that maybe she needs to spend more time with her Kindle™ and “get over (her technological) prejudices.”
A few other VHS English teachers allow their students to utilize e-readers, but one person who is dedicated to introducing them to VHS is the Media Center’s librarian, Mr. Acquaviva, also known as Mr. A. He just requested a grant for a class set of e-readers for students, which they’d be allowed to take home and use 24/7. His idea is to load them with several of the books that are part of a particular curriculum – say, Romeo and Juliet, Of Mice and Men, and To Kill a Mockingbird, for example if they were to be given to an English I class – and then allow students to borrow them for the year as they do graphing calculators in math classes. The idea would be to see what the advantages and disadvantages would be of doing this instead of buying paperbacks. Students could also be allowed to select titles they like for outside reading assignments.
Such an induction of modern technology could spur a school-wide focus on e-readers and Apple products, similar to HBW’s situation, where various departments are using the gadgets. It would certainly change the environment of the classroom. One could imagine sleek tablets replacing novellas and textbooks, using apps to research topics further, and highlighting text with one’s fingers instead of annotating ‘old-school style’ with paper and pencil. Some view that this futuristic, science fiction-esque method of learning should be taken advantage of, because of the newer “technology oriented” generations, as Dr. Meyer had pointed out. Of course there are possible drawbacks to the eventual replacement of books including students’ various comfort levels, limited funding, and constant improvements to the technology available.
A broad technological storm is not anticipated any time soon but even a slightly modern take on the school environment is certainly not out of reach.