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The room is tiny, crowded and stuffy; gutted computers and wires lay over the floor and books clutter the table. One student runs out of the room as another comes in; three more run in and two sprint out.
“Random Chaos” is how teacher Todd Morstein describes his class and that is how the class has to be, he says, for every student to get hands-on experience.
Networking Technology (Net. Tech.) is taught this year by Morstein and art teacher Wes Hines. This class was designed to help students expand their knowledge about technology as a whole. Net Tech., however, challenges students to solve a wide range of real-life problems and learn practical skills.
“Networking is the future of computers, (and) the school didn’t have anything that addressed networking,” said Morstein. “I saw a need for it.”
Net. tech. students have been split into five small groups, each with a leader who is responsible to the teacher for what their group is doing:
• Networking: This group hooks up computers on line and brings the Internet to the classroom. “My group is in charge of hooking up computers for teachers,” said senior Jake Trodick.
• Windows Networking: This group helps make sure the whole system runs smoothly and properly. They are in charge of the schools’ main server. Anytime there is a problem with the network these guys are called out to help. “We make Windows networking run smoothly and properly,” said sophomore Aaron Mower.
• Macintosh: The group is small but important. They are in charge of learning how to use the newest computers and how the programs work. They also assist teachers with small problems within programs on their classroom computers. “We go to the classrooms and help teachers,” said sophomore Bryson Stoner. ”The teachers ask me questions for a change…it’s a nice change.”
• Help Desk: This is where the teachers go with their questions. The group assigns certain people to fix the problem, and to help other students in the class. “We are the secondary brain behind the whole operation,” said junior Grant Hewitt.
• Repair: These students research the different components of the computers and make necessary repairs on computers. Any repair needs go to this group first. “We build and tear apart computers to find and fix their problems,” said senior Einar Offerdahl.
The class is available to all students who fill out an application. The application exists to show how determined a student is and not how much they know about computers.
Said sophomore Jesse Hafer, “It was a great opportunity to learn more about computers and understand how they work.”
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