Mira Costa’s Moble Device Intiative, accompanied by various new technological advancements, will surely benefit all members of the Costa community and will allow for more educational freedom on and off campus.
Although many are concerned with students becoming distracted by their own personal devices such as iPads and laptops, there are many ways to prevent this issue. English teacher Jonathan Westerberg utilizes a red card and green card system in which no devices can be used while the red card at the front of the room is showing. This ensures the attentiveness of students during specific periods of class time, allowing for teachers to lecture or give instructions free from distraction.
According to Mira Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale, teachers are “ready, willing and able” to utilize this new technology, but time must be allowed for the faculty to learn and grow with it. If Dale’s optomistic outlook on the faculty proves true, it will certainly help the overall integration of technology.
With the implementation of new Eno boards in the math and science building, teachers can now teach with a digital stylist, therefore making instructional websites, photos and videos easily displayable from a teacher’s individually-issued laptop. Evidently, this will promote the use of outside sources which will supplement textbooks and everyday learning materials in class.
For teachers who prefer traditional teaching styles, there are alternate uses for Eno boards. Instead, they can be used as a third whiteboard in the classroom. This allows each individual teacher to choose the amount of technology he or she wants to integrate into the classroom and also provides a back-up teaching method in the event that the technology malfunctions or fails during school.
Any student who cannot afford a device or does not wish to use one on an everyday basis can borrow an iPad from the administration by emailing Dale. The administration’s foresight on this issue will easily accommodate every student on campus as necessary. It will also allow for students to test how an iPad can aid their learning abilities to see if it appeals to him or her before purchasing one.
However, if the administration wishes to entirely depend on devices for Costa’s academic experience, sessions or lessons to teach students about useful applications and educational programs would be beneficial. Students need to be able to use their devices to their full potential, and this should be taught during school hours. Dale is open to utilizing “Mid-way Day,” this year’s version of “May Day,” in February to teach students the educational advantage of technological devices.
During these teaching sessions, students should also be taught how to easily organize assignments and tests on a device. Having notes, assignments and other important items digitally organized in programs such as Google Drive, Dropbox or Evernote not only leaves a paperless and eco-friendly trail, but also provides a server-based back-up system for work that is lost or left at home. Leaving an assignment at home or losing one entirely is always a possiblility when work is completed with pen and paper, and devices easily prevent this common mistake.
Costa’s current technological advancements will surely benefit the student body and faculty with the vast expanse of educational tools it carries. With individual devices, students now have the ability to personalize their methods of studying and all aspects of learning that would otherwise not be available.
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