“There can be infinite uses of new age technology, but if teachers themselves are not able to bring it into the classroom and make it work, then it fails” – Nancy Kassebaum. Palos Verdes High School teachers are excelling at integrating technology into the learning process. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are only a few ways technology is being incorporated.
Teachers are now able to communicate with their students via mobile apps and other social media websites. A popular app that is used is called Remind 101. Teachers such as Mr. Calizar and Mrs. Barton use it. They send messages through the app and they appear as text messages to students with homework reminders, and other notes. Junior, Mackenzie Foley, stated, “Mr. Calizar always sends out text messages with our homework on it. It’s super helpful because I don’t have to remember to write it down!” Most teenagers always have their phone near them, so it is an easy way to access homework.
Instagram is a popular app where one posts photos for their followers to see. PVHS English teacher, Ms. Roth, utilizes this app in creative ways during her class. In addition to assignments, Ms. Roth posts inspirational quotes, and vocabulary that students should learn. A student of Ms. Roth, Carly Potter, mentioned, “She posts pictures of students doing work and whenever someone is tardy, she locks them outside and posts a picture of them on Instagram. It’s really cool because it creates a personal relationship.”
One of the most technology savvy teachers on campus is English 3 AP teacher, Ms. Damon. She posts informational articles, facts, and extra credit assignments on Facebook and Twitter. She also uses an app called Socrative that is used to quiz students. Another helpful site is dropbox, it is used for file sharing. Although there are many pros to technology, Megan Ocampo said, “Sometimes its hard to find time to check all the social media sites. It’s another thing I have to make time for and I sometimes miss out on extra credit assignments because I do not check Twitter or Facebook often.” Teachers’ successful and innovative use of technology in the classroom has influenced a schoolwide change; the Bring Your Own Device (B.Y.O.D.) system.
This year, Palos Verdes High School introduced a school-wide wifi network. This allows students to bring their own devices to campus, including iPads, laptops, and cellphones. In the classroom, students can look up information, type papers and notes, make presentations, and more. Junior David McCann stated, “I use the B.Y.O.D. system mainly for note taking. I can take more notes typing than I do handwriting and it enables me to pay closer attention to my teacher.” Although there are many pros to B.Y.O.D., there are concerns about devices getting stolen.
Technology is constantly evolving and it is important to use it because we can. Palos Verdes High School does an amazing job at incorporating technology with school in a way that advances learning and personal connections.