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The wave of the future steps into the classroom

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By Delaney Smith and Rachel Lamb

Technology. It surrounds us in every aspect of our lives.  A single beep from a phone can draw a full classroom of students to their backpacks in an instant and strike fear into them, as they hope that it is not theirs. FC’s strict cell phone policy may keep us from using technology in a way that distracts us from our school work, but is it  keeping us away from online resources that could help us outside of  teachers and books?

”It [eBooks] would greatly enhance the students ability to learn with the technology that they are surrounded by on a daily basis,” said senior Scott Schuchardt.

Many of the teachers at FC are already letting their students use mobile devices in class if they are used in a very controlled manner and for designated educational purposes.

“In English and Spanish classes we can use our phones to look up definitions on a dictionary app,” said sophomore Cara Miller.

This is one of the valuable resources that most of us do not have in school because of FC’s strict policies. Phones are the most denied resource in our school system because it has a huge risk of being used to do other things, such as texting and playing games. However; not all teachers allow cell phones to be used in the classroom, due to the possible distractions.  A different alternative is iPads.

“This year I am only allowing iPads, nooks, and eReaders,” said English teacher Karen Lehman.

Schools in our area, such as Providence, have switched to using iPads instead of  traditional text and reading books.

“Everything school wise you do on the iPad. Compared to carrying books around, it’s a lot easier,” said Providence sophomore Jakob Summers.

Many students at FC agree that switching to the use of technology, instead of lugging around those textbooks, would be much easier on student’s backs.  Not only will they alleviate weight off student’s backs, but could also limit the use of lockers throughout the school day.

“I am for FC eliminating textbooks, because I hate the fact of going to my locker every passing period,” said freshman Kaelyn Gibson.

English teacher Anne Martin agreed with most students saying that she expects to see eBooks taking over in the next few years.

“NAFCS is letting other schools to work out the bugs first, but they know that it is the future,” said Martin.

One of the few downsides to using iPads, instead of the traditional textbooks, is that the school would have to  get wireless internet. Having such a big school with so many students could be a huge challenge to get a signal strong enough to support everyone who would be using it.

Every step towards a more “high tech” education system is going to come with its glitches and bugs, but it is all about how these things are approached as a school and a community.

Lehman added one last opinion on the future of technology at FC.

“I think that technology instead of textbooks is the wave of the future for FC and there is no way to avoid it.”

Features, Lexi Burch

Senior Cylie Miller wins programming award

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By Lexi Burch

Senior Cylie Miller has devoted herself to web design and technology. That devotion paid off not too long ago when she won the National Center for Women and Information Technology Programming award. This is an award only given to a few girls in the state of Indiana, so for Miller this means a lot.

“I was very surprised when I found out I had won the award. I know there are girls out there that are a lot more advanced in computers than I am, so to be picked as a winner was an honor,” said Miller.

Winning an award like this takes a lot of devotion, time, and practice. Miller just got started with computer classes in her junior year but instantly loved it and worked hard to be on the level she is.

“What I like best about Computer Science and Web Design is that you are given a task that you have the freedom to complete it how you want,” said Miller. “You can design or program in your own way. “

Since the Technology Programming award is a ‘Women’s’ award, Miller, hopes to get more girls involved in programming. By winning this award, Miller hopes she will inspire more girls to go after their dreams.

“I hope to show other girls through this award that computers have been a career path mainly pursued by men,” said Miller. “This only makes a woman in computing more valuable to a company so you are more likely to get a job in the growing career field! Also it’s great to get an accomplishment and award in something that you love doing, so I hope to show others to pursue what they love.”

Many people are very proud of Miller one of which is programming teacher David Traughber.

“I am very proud of her, ” said Traughber. “She will go far in programming, if that’s what she chooses to do. She is very talented.”

Miller has an even brighter future after winning this award. She said she plans on staying on the technology track and hopes one day she will have a job in the field.

“In the future I hope to attend IU for computer science,” said Miller. “Through that, I think I can find a great career that will allow me to see new people and places, as well as a career that I will love.”