Phones and tablets now have a place in the classroom.
By Gabrielle Bruner & Braden Blair
In the classroom, the standard practice is for the teacher to engage the students by asking a question and having them raise their hands. But, gone are the days of little participation, and a few students ruling the class. With the help of WISD’s “Bring Your Own Technology” initiative, classrooms will be brought to life with new technology and possibilities and every student will have a voice.
This year, as a part of “Bring Your Own Technology,” students will be allowed to bring tablets, smart-phones, laptops, and other devices, and use them in classrooms, hallways, the library, and at lunch. WISD Technology staff will be on campus, in the next few weeks to register student devices on the Wi-Fi Network. Once this happens, students will have unlimited access to the Internet in class and out. Not only will students be able to access web pages, homework solutions, class notes and other resources, but they can also submit answers, receive information, and be interactive with their teachers and other students.
“We talk about being a 21st century district of choice, but to live up to that promise, we have to be using technology on a daily basis in everything we do,” Mr. Rodrigue said. “When I brought technology into my class, it allowed people to use their computers, iPads, phones, or whatever and those kids who would never talk started participating. I got so many new and unique perspectives.”
Last year, “Bring Your Own Technology” was implemented at the Ninth Grade Campus. Sophomore Chelsi Broemser said that being able to use her phone at school allowed her to learn faster, and have more information accessible than in the past.
“[Bringing technology to school] was a really good experience,” Broemser said. “[I was able] to look up information on Google, use a translator for Spanish, and download apps like a dictionary.”
“Bring Your Own Technology” is the beginning of the technological advances to come. Also new this year is the union of many different factions of the school in one centralized website, www.whsgrassburr.com. Students can access the video announcements, news, features, contact information for teachers and staff and also access the Twitter and Facebook pages available.
“[The website] was easier to use than last year,” Sam Snell said. “I was able to find the stuff I was looking for easier and teachers’ websites had a lot of stuff on them.”
Students can access the new Twitter and Facebook pages for almost all programs. Each page has a student that manages and updates it. Haley Barnes, who updates the WHS Spirit and Blue Belle Facebook pages and the Blue Belle Twitter account, said that these pages are a place where students can stay connected and have pride in themselves and the school.
“I feel like having these Facebook and Twitter pages have increased my school pride,” Barnes said. “It’s something students can enjoy and be recognized in. Everyone is getting to be incorporated and involved and I think it’s going to bind the student body together.”