New Technology -
New Policy

March 22, 2010

With all kinds of new cell phones, computers, cars, and cameras, our world is ever changing because of the advances in technology. At Novi High, students are being taught to embrace the new technologies that are in the classroom. For example, in almost every room there is a ceiling mounted projector, an Elmo, and a sound system with two microphones.

The projectors, in my experience, are the most useful. Teachers can easily pull something up on their computer and show it to the class on a large screen in the front of the room, rather than having to check out a projector from the media center or attempt to show it on the TV in the back of the room.

The Elmo is the coolest thing the teachers have. It is like a really fancy overhead projector that projects anything that is placed under it from anywhere in the room, rather than having to be right in front of the screen where it is being projected to. Plus when using it for notes, it much easier to see.

Now, some teachers have a voice that carries and others don’t, but with the new sound systems in each class room, hearing your teacher isn’t too much a problem anymore. With one hand held microphone and one hands-free the teacher can easily be heard from anywhere in the room since there are speakers mounted in the ceiling. These speakers are also connected to the teacher’s computer, allowing movie day to be even more enjoyable.

So, since the teachers at Novi High are allowed to use all this new technology during the school day, what about the students? Well, there are some pretty strict rules about personal technology.

Right now if a cell phone or iPod is either seen or heard between the times of 7:15am and 1:56pm it is taken to the office and given to an administrator. Now, there are some teachers who don’t an mind the occasional iPod during independent work time, but others will take it away immediately. And with all the new advances in smart phones and iPods with internet access, students are starting to need these things more and more during the school day.

As a result of these new technology needs, a committee of students, teachers, administrator and even some parents has been formed. Their goal is to look into our school’s personal technology policy as well as other schools’ policies. The hopeful outcome of creating this committee is to look at changing the policy for Novi High School’s 2010-2011 school year.

But, in order for this to happen, every student’s voice and opinion needs to be heard so the possible changes can help everyone. There has been a survey sent out to every student’s school email. The survey has also been sent to teachers and parents. If you want your voice heard, and changes to be considered, take the survey. I did, and it took me less than five minutes, so go! Log into your school email and take the survey! Get your voice heard! Every opinion matters!