My school district recently used the money it received from California's Proposition S on new technology--for my high school, Scripps Ranch High School, $34000 of interactive whiteboards, HD TVs, and new computers, despite our request for air conditioning. I sat down with SRHS precalculus teacher Reed Moore to ask about the new technology he's received from the district, how he thinks it will help in the classroom, and why our school didn't get to spend the money on its first choice improvement.

Mr. Moore with his new Promethean board

YouthNoise: What is the school district spending the Proposition S money on?
Reed Moore: They're called I21 technology, and that's the whole complement. The main thing is the Promethean interactive whiteboard. But, in order for that to work, you have to have a projector, and you have to have a computer to run it. But, after that, they're also giving every student a little tablet. I don't know how it's supposed to work, but the idea of the tablet, along with the master teacher's one, is the individual students will be able to send their answers to the board on this interactive whiteboard.

So, I can pick you to have you show me number eight on the Promethean board, and you don't have to use any paper or pen, it's all electronic. Supposedly you write electronically with a little magnetic marker, kind of like Etch-a-Sketch, and then I can call on you to display your answer digitally on the board--and that would be cool, if I can get everyone to do that. I can monitor everybody from my master computer, I can spy on you and see if you're doing your work. Or if you're goofing off, I can pick on you and have you show us your answer.

YN: If our school originally wanted to get air conditioning, how did we get the new technology instead?
RM: We spent a lot of time coming up with the school's needs and priorities. We made a list, we spend time investigating how much things would cost. In our math department, we looked at Promethean boards, we knew how much they would cost (approximately $1000-$2000). According to Proposition S, our input was going to be considered by the district. As it turns out, the district totally ignored every school's wish, and they unilaterally assigned everybody the I21 equipment.   

YN: Do you have plans for using the new equipment? If so, what?

RM: Yes and no. Some of it, the Promethean boards and the tablets, yes, I will integrate those. If it works like I envision it, it will be great because I will then go paperless, and I won't have to need overhead transparencies. I will just go to my Moodle website [a website where teachers can post assignments and class notes] and download the day's assignments. I'll show those on the screen, I'll work out an example on my tablet, and then I'll have the students do the other problems on their tablets, I'll electronically pick people to show me their answers--so we'll be taking notes virtually without paper. And you then can send your notes home electronically--you can email yourself. That's what I would use it for. Now, why we're getting thousands and thousands of other things, I don't know.

YN: If you could spend the money on any school improvement, what would you spend it on?
RM: Well, I would have gone with air conditioning as number one, that's what everybody wants. But the district, the Board of Ed, ignored everybody's request. As far as I know, nobody in the district requested this as a high priority. We looked at them, and said they're cool, and we figured it would be $4000 to put one in and get it running.

How they came up with $34000, I do not know. Why we need an HD TV, why we need a VCR and a DVD player, I don't know. Why we need a second projector, I don't know. We're getting a second digital camera, we're getting a second printer. Of course, the laptop I have to have, because of the tablet function.

YN: Do you think the new technology will improve the students' ability to learn the materials?
RM: Yeah, but would I rather have air conditioning at this point? Yes. Is it a higher priority? Yes. Will that help more? Yes. But if it [the Promethean board] works the way I think it is, it'll help.

2004 and 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Peter Vanderkaay joined Team Blue earlier this year to help raise money and awareness for global water issues. Team Blue is a project of Blue Planet Run—an organization that addresses the billion people around the world who lack access to clean drinking water and sanitation.

Right now, Peter is training to compete at the National Swimming Championships in July. He estimates that he will swim 560 miles in training during the next few months, and he is using those miles to raise money for Blue Planet Run.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Peter about swimming, life, and his dedication to promoting safe water access. Check out what Peter had to say:

 

When did you start swimming?

I started swimming when I was 7 years old. I never dreamed that I would be swimming at age 25 professionally or at the Olympics.  I never had that goal when I was younger.  Growing up, I had a love for the sciences and either wanted to be a doctor or a medical researcher. I still really do love science, so who knows where my career may lead outside of the pool.

What sparked your interest in global water issues?

Growing up in Michigan, my family spent a lot of time outdoors on the lakes in the summers. Being a swimmer, I've always had an affinity to the water and as I grew up, I became more aware of the issues surrounding clean water. I'd love to make sure that people have the same opportunities to enjoy water that I have had. I feel that if there is any way I can help, I need to get involved.  

How did you get involved with Blue Planet Run?

After the Olympics in Beijing, I knew I wanted to further commit myself to raising awareness about the world’s water crisis. I did some research and came across Blue Planet Run, who combine two of my passions: clean water and exercise.  They have helped further my understanding on the breadth of the crisis and have intensified my passion to make an impact.

Where have you traveled to since joining Team Blue?

So far I have traveled to Chicago and the surrounding areas since joining Team Blue. Because of my training schedule, it has been tough for me to get involved as much as I would like. As I travel to different swim meets and events across the country I make sure to share Blue Planet Run’s message, especially by sharing my BPR trading cards with fans.  

Do you play any other water sports?

I don't play anything else competitively but I enjoy almost everything in the water.  Surfing, sailing, and kayaking are some of my favorite things to do besides swimming.

Anything else we should know?

Right now I live and train in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where I got a degree in Biology from the University of Michigan. London is in my sights, but I’m very focused on U.S. National Championships, which are in Indianapolis from July 7 -11. If I qualify, I will be in Rome in late July. Both events are going to be nationally televised, so I hope all of my fans and supporters of Team Blue will get a chance to watch. I really look forward to spreading the importance of water sustainability on a national and international stage!

Peter is encouraging others to swim for clean water. Check out Peter's Team Blue page to see how you can get involved!

I can't believe I will be in DC next week to witness the most important event of the century! We know everyone can't make it to the inauguration, so I will be going to cover the different events for you by continuously updating our website with blogs, photos and videos.

We are also working with Mikva Challenge, a youth organization based in Chicago, to bring you awesome coverage of the inauguration. Mikva Challenge works with youth in underserved Chicago high schools to involve students in the political process and develop the next generation of civic leaders. Their wonderful students have a massive agenda of their own (from having tea with some congress members to freezing their butts off touring DC) and will document their activities on our site. Yay!

I will also interview youth to see what this moment in our nation's history means to them. If you have any questions that you'd like me to ask, please send them to marina@youthnoise.org.