Students receive real world lessons on use of technology
By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thursday was one of the few days Decatur High School students were encouraged to use their phones. "Does anyone have an iPhone?" asked Carrie Oberle, math teacher at DHS. A student raised his hand, and Oberle went to his desk to marvel at the device.
While she doesn't have a Facebook page herself, Oberle led a discussion in her advisory class about the positive and negative aspects of having a page. The fact that she doesn't have first-hand knowledge of the Web site helped engage her students in the discussion.
"You don't think ahead that far, but one day, things that you did in high school may come back to bite you," she said. "Don't put bad things on your Facebook page."
The discussion was part of a Real World Decatur presentation, a new program implemented this school year.
Technology is a part of everyday life for today's students. While it is implemented into education, it's also a part of recreation and socialization.
In order to take technology education to the next level, Decatur High School has invited community members to come to the school and relate the uses of popular technology to applications outside of school or social circles. Built on Principal Jason Cochran's idea, the Real World Decatur program presents these applications through community members working in various industries and businesses.
"Teenagers already have so much technology knowledge, they're just not accustomed to transferring those skills to the real world," said Rene Fuller with Decatur High School. "It just makes sense to build on those skills they already have. This is one avenue to do that."
Community members involved in the program include insurance agents, representatives from local banks, staff at Weatherford College, business owners, a former student, parents, Wise Regional Health System staff, a youth director, Decatur Public Library librarian Cecilia Barham and the district's director of finance and curriculum director.
Thursday was the first Real World Decatur presentation - the school plans to have five during the school year - and community members spoke to classes about the benefits and negatives of social networking, focusing on Facebook and Myspace pages.
"I think it went really well," Fuller said. "We had a good turnout, and I think they were well prepared."
More volunteers are needed for four more presentations, with the next presentation scheduled for Dec. 10. Those interested in volunteering should call Fuller at (940) 393-7208.
