By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

Mariah Cumming’s first computer class at Kennebunk High School was introduction to typing. As a graduating senior, she digitally edits the yearbook.

As graduation approaches, students and teachers are looking back to see how technology has changed their learning styles and capabilities during the past four years.

Instead of typing classes, students now take more Advanced Placement classes, classes not offered at Kennebunk High School and even classes that don’t fit into the students’ schedules.

It all starts as a freshmen introductory class, when students learn basics. Now the basics have advanced to learning Microsoft Word, a word-processing program that is required for many entry-level jobs.

“We work on skill building, not keyboarding,” said computer teacher Beth Keezer.

At the elementary school level, students are now expected to know the different parts of the computer. At the middle school level, students are expected to be proficient on both Apple and PC systems.

Keezer doesn’t just teach the basics, she also oversees Advanced Placement classes and classes in the International Baccalaureate program.   

Through the Internet, students have the ability to take extra classes not offered at the school. Students whose schedule will not accommodate certain required classes or those who have a study hall can take an extra class in one computer lab Keezer runs. 

She said she had two students interested in being veterinarians, so they took classes online at the virtual high school. Keezer said at the end of the semester, one student loved it and one hated it, which helped both students decide if such a career was for them.

Students have taken classes online including Mandarin and AP physics at Kennebunk High School, but the classes are taught in classrooms hundreds of miles away. 

As part of the virtual high school agreement, Keezer teaches an ethics of technology class online for students across the country. The class looks at new technology and its ethical impact on society. Students are now studying cutting edge television technology soon to be offered to the public.

Keezer said the new televisions have facial and expression recognition that will turn the TV off when no one is in the room.

“We look at (whether) the new technology ethically fits in society,” Keezer said. “And we have great debates.”

In total, the equivalent of 10, full-year classes are offered online during a school year.

One of the newest yearlong computer classes offered is Bob Walker’s computer design “CAD” class.

“The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know,” Walker said.

If students dream it, they can build it with four available computer design programs. Students learn to graph a nearly complete blueprint and then use it to build a model house.

At the start of the year, Walker splits his students into mock architectural firms, complete with names and business cards. He then tells each firm their specifications, including color and interior designs.

Andrew Drake is working on another project drawing a car on the computer based on one he built with an erector set.

Drake is taking his model apart to measure and design each part on the computer, and then use those drawings to show blueprints of the car. 

The measuring must be very specific.

“It’s not as monotonous as you might think. It’s problem solving,” Drake said. “(One-one hundreth) of an inch can completely mess you up.”

One of Drake’s measurements was off for a long flat piece of metal with holes drilled through the center. Now he must measure the holes and the space between each hole to fix the error.

This is only the first year students have been offered the CAD program. Two years ago Walker received a grant from the Education Foundation of the Kennebunks and Arundel to bring the computer program to the school, and now students are passing him with their designing capabilities.

John De Simone teaches technology to students in a different way with computer programming, a skill needed for computer game designers and setting up computer software.

His class recently made a few movies using different computer language, Java, for animation.

Cummings is working on the yearbook in DeSimone’s room, using computer programs Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, both common tools by newspaper editors, advertising and photo manipulation.

Chelsea Thompson and Morgan Cushing demonstrate laying out a page of the yearbook and expanding or shrinking pictures.

When asked what they could use their new computer skills outside of the classroom, they look confused.

“Anything,” Thompson said.

DeSimone said computer technology actually helps some lonely students.

“For lost souls the computer is a magnet to them. They think ‘this is something I can do. Here’s a chance for me to have fun and take something in school,’” he said. “They find a niche and really enjoy it.”

Such magnetism can be negative as well, Keezer said.

“We’ve seen kids become totally dependent on technology, ”Keezer said. “They sit at lunch alone on the computer.”

That isn’t the only problem Keezer sees with technology.

Keezer said the school uses computer website blocking program Barracuda to keep students from viewing pages they shouldn’t, including Facebook or inappropriate material.

But Keezer said students know how to get around it.

Principal Peter Dawson knows students can get around the blockers and he said they are working to it work more effective.

So far Dawson said the school does not have a policy against teachers and students becoming “friends” on Facebook, but did say that policy may change. 

Keezer said she still has plans for expanding the technology offered at the school; she thinks the school’s next big project is to make a student-run TV show.

Dawson agreed there are ways to expand technology in his school as well. He said the next step is to get a computer into the hands of every student.

“The impact throughout the school isn’t what it could be if school has full access,” Dawson said.

Dawson was at the middle school when all seventh- and eighth-grade students received laptops. He said he saw improvements in attendance and writing skills.

At the high school, the school is not yet supplying every student with a laptop and Dawson said that takes away from the program.

“In the workplace, technology is spur of the moment. Here, teachers have to book labs months in advance. It robs them of spontaneity,” Dawson said.

Keezer said while technology can be helpful, it should be treated as a tool.

“Technology is a great resource, but it can’t be an end all,” Keezer said.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.