November 5, 2007   •   VOL. 45, NO. 19   •   Oakland, CA

MacBooks become part of student life
at Moreau Catholic High in Hayward
 

By Carrie McClish
Staff writer

Computer laptops are the newest accessory for students at Hayward’s Moreau Catholic High School, where a new One-to-One laptop program began in September after two years of preparation that included training for teachers and work with Apple Professional Development.

Through this program, all students in the ninth and tenth grades have either purchased or leased a 13-inch MacBook laptop through the school. Mindful of the cost, school officials initiated the program for freshmen and sophomores out of concern that it would be unfair to ask families of juniors and seniors to invest in the effort when students have only one or two years left at the campus.

Honors English students at Moreau can use their laptops to send writing drafts to other students for peer review. MOREAU HIGH PHOTO

Some of the Moreau students, accustomed to using PCs, said they were having difficulties adjusting to the Mac format. Ashley Flaton, a sophomore, said she hoped that once she becomes familiar with a Mac, “I will be able to enjoy this change.”

While Flaton admitted that she would prefer to use her PC for school work, Danny Vieira, also a sophomore, said he likes the convenience of the laptop. “I can take my work everywhere,” he said, adding that he most enjoys the wireless Internet function.
Despite some technical glitches, including some instances when the computers have been slow to upload or access sites because of the high number of students online at the same time, teachers are giving the new computers a passing grade.

English teacher Nicole McGowan said that having students use the laptops in the classroom has made her workload easier. “Research, writing essays, taking notes and so many other activities are easier with the computers. We don’t have to schedule computer time anymore,” she said.

“Already I’ve noticed how much they use the computer for writing,” she said. “They use them for more research, use Word to write their draft, send the draft to another student for peer response, and look up words in the thesaurus or dictionary. I can instantly give them a handout without making a copy. They seem more invested in their learning because they like using the computers.”

McGowan said the computers have also affected the way she teaches. “I can make my lessons more dynamic, using video, sound and pictures. It challenges me to think creatively and inspires me to try new ideas.”

Rick Spinelli, who teaches sophomore English, agreed that technology has pushed him to be a better educator. “Students are surrounded by technology and it is just part of their generation. Therefore, by utilizing it in the classroom we are making learning more exciting and relevant for them.”

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