U. City has made many additions and modifications to the school and many of the classrooms, including the addition of a new wing, new restrooms and new hallways. Now the school has installed SMART Board projectors in most of the classrooms, and added C.O.W.s (computers on wheels).

Certain teachers have learned to use their SMART Boards and utilize the C.O.W.s while others occasionally use them. Staff members believe students tend to lean toward the use of the newest technology to learn effectively, whether it is the use of Internet sources or new study games, and many students like the SMART Boards for class lessons.

English teacher Peggy Halter has been in the district for nine years and stated “I rarely used a chalk or dry-erase board, but the smart board has some really cool features. I really can’t wait to use mine.”

In the new science wing science teacher Mr. Croce also greatly appreciates the new additions in his classroom.

“These boards have the ability to actually hold the students attention for long periods of time which is crucial for the kids,” said Croce.

Junior Jason Roriex also “loves” the new boards.

“I like being able to go up to the board and tap on stuff, it makes learning fun,” said Roriex.

In addition to the SMART Boards, U. City has 52 laptops available for classroom use, and according toChief Informational Officer Dr. Barcus C.Jacksonthese new additions are extremely beneficial.

“According to research when computers are in the class rooms learning is more engaging and fun,” saidJackson.

Schools can always be improved and altered for the students to incorporate fun while learning new computer techniques and skills.

“You just want to make school fun, and new technology can help the old forms of education do so,” saidJackson.

The English department in U.City has taken advantage of this new program. Sophomore Daria Hall was introduced to the C.O.W.s in Ms. Martineau’s English class and says the program is really beneficial.

“I like the C.O.W.s because you can use the entire period to do research, and it helps me remember the keys,” said Hall. Hall said that this program makes the school a better place and this helps students that cannot afford a home computer.

“Not everybody can afford computer due to their financial situations, or make it to a public library to do school work every time they have a paper due or research that needs to be done,” said Hall.

Due to the financial situations and activity-filled days of a student’s life, many things do not get done or get pushed to the side, and one of these things is school work. However, students have access to school computers in the library, computer lab and the limited number in their classes. The C.O.W.s allow classes with 20 or more students to adequately accommodate for those students who may need them to be successful.

English teacher Geinosky-Poiter has been teaching at U. City for several years and has several classes in which students number in the mid to upper 20’s.

“I really like the C.O.W.s. I only have one computer in my room and I have large classes, some have upwards of 24 or more, so the C.O.W.s are really effective for class projects,” said Geinosky.