NEWS
02.03.15
2
page 5
Classrooms experience technology take over
Juniors Hadlee Higgins and Joanna Keck along with sophomore Holland Primm work on creating the school newspaper in an effective, paperless way.
BY THE NUMBERS
100
Percent prefer using Chromebooks
This is the percentage of students who prefer using Chromebooks in class versus paper and pencil or normal textbooks used in most classes.
72
Percent use paper in class every day This is the percentage of students who said they use paper in classes that already have Chromebooks to be used by students and staff for educational purposes.
86
Percent say Google helps orginization
This is the percentage of students that say Google products keep them more organized. Percent say they have 3-4 Google classes This is the percentage of students that say they have 3-4 of their classes on the Google classroom platform.
57
Teachers transitioning to online learning KERRIGAN READING > FEATURES
Senior Olivia Cash spent hours working on a review for class and had just finished the seventh page when her computer crashed. All at once, she couldn’t breathe as pure terror and disbelief washed over her. Those hours of work all for naught as soon as the computer shut down, creating twice as much homework for Cash instantaneously. Or so she thought. Thanks to Google+, Cash’s work had been saved automatically and her hours of sleep, and her grade, had been saved. “Google totally pulled through and I felt so thankful and relieved! I use it for almost everything I need to do. It’s really a life saver,” said Cash. Many students can relate to this, thanks to the Chromebooks. Over the school year, a significant change has occurred in the dynamic of some of the classrooms, due to the introduction of Google+ and the Chromebooks. This move to online resources instead of piles of paper and
worksheets has helped the environment and the school. Although the amounts differ for every school depending on the population size, a survey conducted by David Wees of The Reflective Educator revealed that approximately 34 billion sheets of paper are used in schools each year in the US. Converting all paperwork to internet resources through Google+ and other outlets would decrease this number by a very considerable amount. Using the computers for homework and school work also makes assignments easier for the students, and grading easier for the teacher. “It’s easier to do the homework, I can get it done in class most of the time,” said senior Marissa Davis. With online assignments, teachers will no longer have to try to read students sometimes sloppy handwriting, and thus are able to complete grading in a shorter amount of time. Autocorrect can also be a gradesaver for students. Using the Chromebooks has allowed students to stay organized, and has several other benefits for teachers and students alike. “I have closer to 100% engagement,” said chemistry teacher Mrs. Irvin who has been using Chromebooks throughout
the year. “It’s a lot more organized because students can’t lose their assignment, it’s already right there.” Irvin uses Google+ in her class as a way for students to conduct research, access notes, fill out worksheets in Google forms, and turn everything in. She also uses Google classroom instead of Remind101 to send out information. “[With Google+] I have more access to the students. I can see how they’re doing and look at their progress instead of having to wait until the end of a long assignment. Then I can give them feedback sooner,” said Irvin. Irvin revealed that at least 50 percent of the time in her class is spent on the Chromebooks, and because of this, it can be hard to have class when the internet fails or other things go awry. “It’s really frustrating when things don’t work. You always have to have backup plans,” said Irvin. With this transition to online learning, it has been questioned what will happen with snow days and when students are sick. Google hangout is one option, which will allow teachers to have classes while everyone is at home. Students and teachers are not so gung-ho about this.
“I like my snow days,” said senior Olivia Cash. “The only reservation I have about that is that it’s assuming everyone can get online somewhere else. But for AP classes and EOC exams, it’s definitely going to help a good number of kids not get behind, because those test dates don’t change,” said Mrs. Irvin. Senior Marissa Davis believes that this really wouldn’t change anything. “Even when you have sick days, teachers expect you to do what you need to do anyways,” said Davis. Despite the possibility of eradicating snow days, there are many positive aspects that students enjoy. “The teacher can put assignments on Google classroom and we can access them from anywhere,” said junior Andrew Ryan. “The classes that use the Chromebooks are more organized than the ones that don’t,” said Mary Katherine Acosta. Acosta and Cash also agreed that their favorite aspect of having everything online is that it saves automatically, which comes in handy when computers crash or die. “It’s more on your own, and at your own pace,” said junior Sarah Glenn.
Students compete for Miss HBHS crown
Contestants use issues as platform CATY LANGSTON > A&E
“Participating in this pageant is important to me because I want to gain a better sense of self confidence and hope my involvement in it will encourage others to do so as well,” said senior Payton Frisinger. Frisinger is one of the 13 girls who will be competing saturday Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. for the Miss HBHS pageant. The contestants in this category all attend Har-Ber High School and have been recommended by one of the faculty members. This year differs from the past pageants, because the girls must chose a platform for an issue they feel strongly about. “I am focusing on being educated on current events and my platform. My platform is based on encouraging girls to be leaders, so i want to make sure that I know statistics and the current status of girls and how they feel about being leaders,” said junior Peyton Stewman. Stewman is a part of the EAST program, which is in charge of the entire pageant. She knew that they have continued this event for several years and has decided this year
2015 Miss Har-Ber High contestants •Kaitlin Tucker •Arianna Corona •Mayra Villegas •Shelby Potts •Rebecca Hopkins •Kathryn Dickey •Mary Benchoff that she wanted to participate. “EAST wants a girl that will represent Har-Ber and present herself and her chosen platform in a positive way. I want to be that girl who keeps the title intact,” said Stewman. Admission into the event for Adults is five dollars while the price for a Student is three dollars. Half way through the night, during intermission, the audience is invited to vote for their favorite contestant. “It’s really an opportunity to learn more about yourself and others, build self confidence, and develop your communication skills which has helped me a lot in my daily life already,” said
•Kelin Mancia •Peyton Stewman •Yesenia Hernandez •Jessica Calderon •Haley Nelson •Peyton Frisinger •Emcee: Trent Jones
Frisinger. The EAST club administers this event every year since the first one in 2009. All the profits from the ticket sales go toward the fundraising for the year and years to come. “We didn’t want it to just be a fundraiser, but an opportunity for girls to grow in their experiences with being on stage and interviews,” said EAST leader Becky Lamb. Lamb was the director of one of the preliminaries for pageants and she would help them compete and go on to compete for Miss Arkansas. One of her contestants even competed in Miss America. Lamb knows the
positive things that can come out of a pageant and thinks its a great experience for the girls who enter. “No matter what, I want them to gain interview skills and maintain their platform that they build for the rest of their lives.” said Lamb. At 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, the high school contestants start will start their interviews. The girls will be on a stage in front of the five judges and will be questioned by each judge. The judges will tally their scores individually without conversing with the other judges, and then the overall total will count for 50% of
the contestant’s overall score. After completing this part of the process, the contestants are sent home. The doors for the pageant open at 6:30 that same night and the girls begin to walk at 7. They compete in business wear first, which is when they share their platform and explain their reasoning behind it. The next division is an optional talent section where competitors will not be judged but can enter if they want to experience. The last part is worth 25% of the girls overall score, being the evening gown division. After the girls walk in their extravagant dresses, a question will be randomly drawn out of a bowl and then given to them to answer. “I do it for fun. I mean i don’t do anything with the intention to lose but I’m just going into it for the experience and selfdevelopment,” said Frisinger. The winner of Miss HBHS is awarded with many gifts. They are given a really pretty crown, sash, and a bouquet of flowers. Multiple businesses have donated cash awards, or previously paid for membership cards to that company’s business. “Whoever wins, we encourage them to be in the Christmas parade and speak wherever they can. We look for them to promote their platform and give back to the cause that they feel strongly in,” said Lamb.