The Magnet Tribune A state- and nationally recognized student newspaper
Vol. 19, No. 2 http://my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt May 28, 2012 Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts, 820 Main Avenue, Laredo, Texas 78040 Seniors meet for annual breakfast
‘No Blackout’ lights up the red carpet
By Arleen Barba and Amanda Johnson MT staff writers
Page 3 Seniors get their medallions
Pages 4 and 5
Meeting movie star Precious was a highlight of the trip by Audio-Visual Production students senior Felix Lopez and junior A.B. Gonzalez, to receive their grand prize award in TXU Energy’s “Light up the Red Carpet” contest in Dallas. “I was pretty much proud and speechless, like anybody else would be if they won grand prize,” Lopez said of the April event. Their short movie, called “No Blackout,” was an original rap song giving tips on how listeners can save energy.
The video is about 3 ½ minutes long. Lopez and Gonzalez used students from other fine arts areas in the production, Lopez said. Gonzalez said he was also speechless when they received grand prize. Lopez said he got the idea for the video from a blackout that took place at Nixon High, his home school. Audio-Visual Production instructor Effie Maldonado, their teacher who oversaw the production, said they had just a few days to create the video after coming back from the Christmas holiday. “But with the time they had the video was good enough,” Maldonado said about the
MT photo by Jennifer Gomez Audio-Visual Production students Felix Lopez and junior A.B. Gonzalez stand with their instructor, Effie Maldonado, in their classroom after winning TXU Energy's "Light up the Red Carpet" contest.
grand prize. She said it was a wonderful experience for her and the students. “I was overwhelmed with pride, being able to work with the students and to see them be successful is a great feeling.
They asked about walking the red carpet. This was something that we knew we were going to do but we did not know how big it was until we got there,” Maldonado said. “What you see on TV is ex-
See VIDEO, page 10
No more paper?
Showcase 2012 is online
Devices may someday replace books By Rebekah Rodriguez MT staff writer
See page 8 for link
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iBooks, an e-Book application for Apple devices, has now made textbooks available from major publishers. iBooks has been available since 2010, and on January 19, 2012, Apple announced the release of iBooks 2, which would enable users to create their own interactive textbooks. Students and teachers shared their opinions on the new addition as well as the changes that could take place in education due to new technology such as the iPad, as well as the possibility of textbooks someday being replaced by advancing technology. “I’m all for it, especially for college students where an electronic format would make books less expensive,” said AP US History and Government instructor Matias Arambula. Arambula also added there are many advantages to using an iPad over a traditional textbook. “You won’t throw your back out [carrying books] because all you’ll be carrying is your iPad. Another advantage is you get to keep your iBooks forever,” he said. Students agreed with Arambula’s statements. “It would waste less paper. You could have a lot of books without all the mess,” added Alicia Gonzalez, a junior art student. “It would probably make reading a lot easier and faster,” added Rachel Quintero, another junior art student. Used
in class
One student said he uses his iPad for class, as he finds it very useful. “The advantages are endless since apps are endless; the biggest advantages are convenience and efficiency, hands down, from my experience,” said David Barrera, a junior theatre arts student. Barrera described the numerous functions of the iPad. “The iPad has a lot of unique apps,” he said, naming several, such as the periodic table and note taking applications. Still, both teachers and students expressed their doubts about the iPad being used in schools.
“The iPad doesn’t offer all formats. You can’t use Java or PDF files,” said AP English IV instructor Diana Lopez. Lopez also noted the costs associated with the device as well as the application. “Not many people can afford it; it’s still quite an expensive.” Lopez, who is currently reading Memoirs of a Geisha with her senior classes, added that iBooks are still “a little too expensive.” She said students are using different forms of the book for class, ranging from electronic to the regular paperback edition. “The iBooks version of the book was $13.99, but the PDF version was available for free. They don’t need an iPad to read it because they can read it on their cell phones or other eReaders.” Possible
abuse
Sean Gaynor, AP US History, instructor expressed concerns about the possibility of misuse. MT photo by Kimberly Luna “Students might use David Barrera, a junior theatre arts student, them for viewing inapfrequently uses his iPad to take notes during propriate material, or class and work on assignments. for cyber-bullying other students.” found effect on education. However, teachers did say there “We’re at an exciting point in eduwere more benefits of using the iPad. cation where the technological ad“It does help with creating more vantages that have come could revoinnovative lessons.” said Lopez. lutionize education.” Gaynor believes it could have a pro-