The Spartans Speak
Pembroke's technology falls behindFriday, April 20, 2012 By Emily Goulet
I use my computer for all of my classes. I type, I research, I communicate. I do projects, I write essays, I upload files. Teachers often sign out a computer lab for classwork. These days, it is difficult to complete assignments without them. Business and computer classes utilize them throughout the entire block. Computers, however, require updates. Programs become fancier and easier to use each year. At least ten years ago, we used Windows 1997 and Microsoft 1997. Now there is Microsoft 2010. This includes the latest technology to make navigating the system fast and simple. So if the world is updating their computer software, why can’t PA? Yes, we have updated some programs. But it makes it difficult to transfer files when you are using a version of Microsoft Word that is approximately ten years older than your version at home. In the technology world, that’s a fossil. The Microsoft products at PA are from 2000. Windows Movie Maker is from 2000-2002. The Adobe Pagemaker we use for layout for this newspaper is from 2001. Although they get the job done, they are not as efficient. Not that I am blaming anyone. The technical staff does a wonderful job updating and maintaining the products with what money we have. But maybe it’s time to start allocating money toward new software, at least in the computer labs. Updated programs would result in more efficiency. As technology evolves, the new improvements enable users to accomplish detailed work and students to utilize their time more efficiently. Students could spend less time trying to navigate an older system and more time working on classwork. According to the working world, time is money, and the tax payers are paying us to be here. Right? |