Flathead staff adapts to the times

by Larissa Marceau & Nancy Natividad

Crumbly pieces of chalk screeching across a blackboard — this used to be a common sound that echoed through the halls of high schools.

Now the sounds of skillful hands skipping from key to key and the dialing tones of a computer going on-line are heard from those same classes at FHS.

“The writing center has the pleasant sound of interaction,” said its adviser, Sharon Burger.

Just as students have been taking advantage of technology, so have the teachers and staff of FHS. This year, Vice Principal Gene Boyle has dived into computers — with Vice Principal Pete Fusaro acting as his tutor. Using his new knowledge in technology, Boyle hopes parts of his job may be less time consuming.

“I will use my computer for teaching evaluations, and activity funds,” said Boyle. “Most importantly, I use the Internet to check injury reports on the NFL so I’ll make a lot of money in fantasy football.” 

Spanish teacher Stephanie Baca is working as well to become computer literate. Last year she entered a contest sponsored by U. S. West and the Montana Education Association in which she submitted lesson plans, a resume and methods to instruct 10 other teachers in computer literacy. To the surprise of Baca, she won the contest and received a laptop Macintosh computer.

“It’s been a great honor — but also a challenge to keep learning,” said Baca.

Baca says she is motivated to find  solutions to glitches in the learning process.

“I love what computers do, so I stick with it,” said Baca. “If a problem arises, I ask a student.”

Baca uses the Internet in her language classes by opening chat rooms in foreign nations. Her students can then communicate with kids their own age in Spanish-speaking countries.

“It gives them an opportunity to learn a lot more about the language than they could get from books,” said Baca. 

The possibilities are endless as everyone — young and old, students and staff — migrate into the age of technology.

“I’m on the fringe of computer knowledge,” said history teacher Mark Armstrong. “I utilize my students’ knowledge. They’re a crutch to my understanding of computers.”

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