technology

Byram Schools Enter the Future

December 1, 2016 by Matt Smith

The future is looking bright for members of the Byram Hills School District. The District’s Building Technology Coordinators (Rekha Singh, Al Lovelace, Dawn Seines, and Joanna Nash), along with Byram Hills Director of Technology Dr. Andrew Taylor, are rolling out a series of educational developments in the coming years, hoping to boost their science and technology footprint. These advancements include a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) education initiative that employs coding, robotics, and 3D modeling to encourage interactive, hands-on learning, as well as a classroom re-purposing to allow for technological advancements to be utilized throughout the school day.

The robotics element is one of the most innovative in recent years. “Our goal at Byram Hills is to develop the leaders of tomorrow,” Dr. Taylor explains, “and to do that we need to develop students that can think creatively, work collaboratively, and communicate effectively.” Hence, their plan. The middle school classrooms, which will use this approach, the BOT Spot (Best of Tech Spot), the most, will incorporate an interactive projector, which casts images onto the floor, set up as challenges for the robot to complete. The task is then to program the robot to complete the challenge set forth for the student. For example, if the floor projects a set of apple trees, “one challenge could be for the robot to water the apple trees,” Taylor explains. “[The students] will program the robot to go up and down the rows on the board, and water each one.” Other challenges include creating a robot that will turn lights on and off, or one that will pick something up and carry it to a student. “It’s all about problem solving,” Taylor comments, “[and] coming up with a scenario and designing and programming a robot to help solve the problem.” Taylor points out that both elements of coding and robotics are part of a major update to the Middle School Technology Curriculum.

Fueled by a transition to using cloud-based, wireless Google ChromeBook computers for teaching purposes in 2014 –“we didn’t really need these computer labs anymore, and we wanted to think of new ways of using them,” notes Taylor–the room’s repurposing equips each classroom with a state-of-the-art projector called Span by Nureva, which casts images onto a large whiteboard, up to 40 feet in length, for students to embellish and interact with. The technology is such that large groups of students can add to the board simply by walking up to it and drawing on it with their finger. With the drag of one’s pinky, the board can shift and expand, allowing for multiple users to work on one problem, or in one area, simultaneously. Additionally, given that the content is online, it can also be viewed or edited on any projector or device in the classroom.

Through the genius of technology, too, those students still seated while others are up working at the board will also be able to contribute to the lesson through a software connection in their ChromeBooks–which Taylor can only see as an invaluable advantage. “If I have a typical interactive whiteboard in a classroom, I can have a couple students up there, but the rest of the class is kind of passive. With this new [advancement], I can have 30 students up at the board and have students contributing [to the lesson] from their seats. It’s great.”

He adds that these new developments may also encourage new teaching styles, noting that teachers are devising creative ways to utilize the boards while giving their lessons.

With this technology, “we’re looking to create more interactive lessons and games that engage and involve students,” comments Taylor, on the subject. “With such large boards, we can empower students to be active learners in the classroom. [It’s about] making learning fun.”

While this initiative brings about exciting changes that are no doubt cause for celebration, Taylor’s fully aware that it’s not all without its fair share of challenges: “We’re shifting the education [model] and changing the structural strategies,” he says of the initiatives. “Moving to a new model of learning is difficult, and takes time. It’s not going to happen overnight.” Taylor also acknowledges “not all of this type of technology is made for schools–some are made for homes–so there’s [also] some adjustment we have make in that regard as well.”

Dr. Andrew Taylor demonstrates the new technology.

But all in all, he’s ready to enact the new system. “We’re doing things that haven’t been done in schools ever before,” he says, with a smile, extending his thanks to the Byram Hills Education Foundation for all their financial support: “We couldn’t have done it without them.” Additionally, on the subject of next steps, Taylor mentions “Phase 2,” which involves bringing this new technology into the three on-campus libraries, as well as building an additional classroom, deemed Hub21, to allow these connections to be accessed from a central location. “We are combining research-based learning strategies with modern technology…some of it will work, and some of it may not,” Taylor says, summarizing his objectives. “But we’re thoughtful in our planning and excited about where we’re headed…and where the future will take us.”

The Byram Hills Central School District is located at 10 MacDonald Avenue in Armonk. For more information, visit www.bryamhills.org

Matt Smith is a writer and regular contributor to The Inside Press. For further information or inquiry, please visit www.mattsmiththeatre.com.

From Paper to Screen: How New Media Platforms Are Changing Journalism

December 2, 2015 by The Inside Press

“And I am learning that writing truthfully and emotionally about my own experiences often resonates with readers the most.”

By Lindsay Hand

Being a young millennial is a truly unique experience. Born in the mid-90s, I have been privy to incredible technological and societal change and advancement. I am still young enough to never have lived without a computer in my house, but old enough to remember a world without smartphones, now staples. As a college student, I cannot even begin to imagine my life without my iPhone, Macbook, and constant access to e-mail, social media and the Internet. In our increasingly multi-media world, journalism is perhaps the largest field affected.

The way people access and read content is evolving, mostly moving online to various outlets. My parents still watch television news and read the newspaper, but I definitely do not. Especially since coming to college, though, keeping up with current events has become extremely important to me; I get daily news blast e-mails, and use Twitter and my phone’s News app to constantly keep myself updated between classes. I also enjoy and search out different ways to see my peers’ thoughts about events both on campus and around the world, and visiting the growing online outlets where college students express these opinions.

Part of the Change

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work directly with one of these groundbreaking new platforms. As Contributing Editor for Cornell University’s branch of the Odyssey, I have the privilege of playing an important part in the growth of this exciting new business. Founded by two Indiana University students and launched in 2014, Odyssey already has over 3,000 writers and a massive presence in campus media nationwide. According to Odyssey Editorial Director Kate Waxler, “We believe that the traditional top-down editorial model is broken, and created Odyssey to flip that model upside down. We’re redefining the way content is created, tapping into the relevance and engagement associated with hyper-local content and distributing our content in a unique and authentic way.”

Odyssey is unique in that it is both entirely online, and allows for the expression of diverse viewpoints and opinions. This was what initially drew me to Odyssey: the idea of writing each week about whatever I wanted, without limitations, constraints or assignments. It is a distinct platform for college students to speak their minds, explain their views, and discover how influential their writing can be. “We felt that there were many perspectives unrepresented and many voices not breaking through to the surface,” Waxler adds. “Odyssey enables those perspectives and voices to be heard.”

Advertisers love it, too. According to Waxler, since Odyssey is closely integrated with millennials, brands and agencies are “offered access to and insights about this sought-after demographic through our research and advertising opportunities.” What also makes Odyssey unusual is its reliance on social media and “shares” to spread content. “We are a hybrid between a publisher and a social media platform, and bring the best of both,” Waxler explains. “Our audience encounters Odyssey content (90% of the time) because someone they know shares it with them in social channels.” In this way, Odyssey is distinctly attuned to millennials–our lives, particularly our online lives, are defined by our mediated social circles, the way we hear about happenings local, national, and international.

Looking Toward the Future

Beyond gaining important leadership experience and practice meeting weekly deadlines, I have found in Odyssey an outlet to express things I would have never previously thought to write about. And I am learning that writing truthfully and emotionally about my own experiences often resonates with readers the most.

Possible topics are unlimited. I have written about everything from a review of “Supergirl” to heartfelt reflections about my sister and being a summer camp counselor. Interestingly, these personal pieces have clearly struck a nerve in others, based on the number of social media shares they have received. Other Cornell Odyssey pieces have ranged from campus libraries to the show “Friends” to the current conflict in Israel. Odyssey always gives students the opportunity to express their thoughts about absolutely anything.

Odyssey and its ilk represent the future of journalism. As a millennial and a Communication major, I know that I have an obligation and a challenge to bring traditional journalism into today’s world. It is a changing field, and my generation will help bring about this change. As Waxler says so well, “We are investing in the next generation of writers, and are using our proprietary technology and data science to bring content and ideas to the world.”

Interested? Check out theodysseyonline.com. Search for particular colleges on the Odyssey homepage.

Two-time Inside Chappaqua Guest Editor Lindsay Hand is a sophomore at Cornell University.

Byram Hills High School Club Embarks on ‘Printing’ Prosthetic Hands

November 24, 2015 by Inside Press

A Byram Hills High School club, whose members are learning how to use 3D printers to create prosthetic hands, gained a new understanding of the importance of prosthetic limbs during a meeting with a retired U.S. Army officer who navigates life with an artificial leg.

Patty Solimene Collins spoke about the challenge of adjusting to a prosthetic leg, after needing an amputation following an accident, and how she learned to walk and run again.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Patty Solimene Collins shows Byram Hills students an artificial leg.

“This is not cheap technology, but if you ask me, it’s priceless because it helps me do the things I love to do,” she said. While her legs were paid for by Army benefits (she has two: one for regular use and one for sports), she discussed how 3D printers can provide basic assistive hands for those who cannot afford more expensive custom versions because they lack insurance or are underinsured.

Ms. Collins’ visit was coordinated by the High School e-NABLE Club, which is part of the global e-NABLE network. High School Science teacher Paul Beeken, the club’s advisor, has been working with its members on printing a prosthetic hand using the high school’s 3D printers.

During the after-school presentation, Ms. Collins passed around her “everyday” leg as well as one that she uses when runs, rides bicycles and competes in para-triathlons. She also answered questions from students on everything from how a prosthetic leg feels to whether they can give athletes an advantage in competitions. Along with members of the e-NABLE Club, interested students from the Engineering Club and from Physics and Science Technology and Society classes also attended.

Ms. Collins and students also discussed the push to improve prosthetics created by 3D printing. Last June, e-NABLE Club members made a hand to demonstrate their skills and, after being approved by the network, are now waiting to be assigned a patient.
Meanwhile, they have practiced by making parts for other groups that help teach how to assemble the hand-assistive devices from open-source files that can be downloaded and printed for under $50. The 3D-printed prosthetics are typically given to children, who, because they may need a new one every six to nine months often do not get approval from insurance companies for the more sophisticated high-priced limbs. Although the 3D-printed hands are not fully functional prosthetic devices, they help children perform simple tasks and make it easier for them to ride bikes, play on swings or participate in sports.

News Courtesy of the Byram Hills School District

Technology in Town: Changing the Way Chappaqua Works

August 16, 2013 by The Inside Press

By Rachel Neuburger

The purpose of technology is to make life safer, easier, and more interesting for people everywhere. This has certainly been the case in New Castle, where recent technological initiatives have changed the way the town functions. New technological advancements and communication developments cover all facets of life in Chappaqua; here are just a few examples of the myriad benefits residents and students have received over the past year:

Adjusting Post-Hurricane Sandy

The ferocity of Hurricane Sandy, the infamous late-October storm, took many by surprise. Seventy percent of households in Chappaqua lost electricity, and schools were closed for almost two weeks as the town went through the lengthy process of rehabilitation. Sandy was a wake-up call for the town, as it was clear that the traditional system of communications would not suffice if a similar natural disaster were to occur in the future.

Before and during the hurricane, the town utilized a system called Nixle to cover its communication needs. The system sent advisory messages to citizens containing important safety information and reported road closings via text messages and email. What this system lacked, however, was an element of vital importance in emergencies: a telephone component. “The more information we can get to the residents,” said Town Administrator Penny Paderewski, “the better it is for everyone.”

Hence the reason, in early January of this year, a new safety system was introduced, called CodeRED. This new alert system sends not only emails and text messages, but also delivers “robo-calls,” pre-recorded messages with safety updates, to both cellular devices and home phones. These telephone messages are of particular importance during emergency situations–such as devastating hurricanes–and can be sent by the Town Administrator or Commissioner of Public Works.

In addition to the implementation of CodeRED, the town has also established a new mapping system, viewable by residents on their computers, that shows where road blockages are during major weather situations. Just like CodeRED, this system will only be in operation during significant storms.

Bringing Schools Up-To-Date

The Chappaqua school district is dedicated to applying emerging technology to the learning experience–a commitment embodied in the hard work done by the district’s Technology Department. Led by Director of Instructional Technology Darleen Nicolosi, the department looks to evolve the understanding of what it means to be a 21st-century learner, and to help students use technology creatively, productively, and responsibly.

One of the most prominent and lauded examples of the Technology Department’s work can be found in the L.I.F.E. School, an alternative-learning community at Horace Greeley High School. For the 2012-2013 school year, the L.I.F.E. School received a grant for a one-year iPad program for juniors. According to program director Jon Hirsch, the iPads serve as an enormous game-changer for students, greatly benefiting the collaborative and research-oriented environment for which the program is known. The iPads are used to make videos, presentations, and projects, and their Internet capabilities allow for the use of Twitter and messaging as learning tools. “They are very helpful for communication and organization,” said L.I.F.E. school senior Olivia Sackler.

While Chappaqua high school students reap many benefits from the Technology Department, the department’s initiatives extend to all students. Elementary school classrooms are well equipped for the modern learning experience: each contains a Windows computer cluster with one computer connected to a presentation monitor.

In addition, the music classrooms at the elementary schools are equipped with SMART boards and other SMART technology that enhances music lessons and allows students to view concerts from the convenience of the classroom. With these tools at hand, younger students can learn in an interactive fashion, exploring the wealth of learning opportunities that will be available to them in years to come, while simultaneously establishing fundamental research and study skills.

Perhaps the most unexpected and unique of this year’s technological initiatives, however, can be found at Seven Bridges Middle School: through a Chappaqua School Foundation grant –one of the most common sources of funding for technological projects–art students use Cintiq drawing tablets to design three-dimensional artwork, which is then produced in real life using a state-of-the-art 3-D printer. This printer has greatly enhanced the art and graphic design classes offered at the school.

While thus far this incredible design tool is only in use at Seven Bridges, middle school students across the district have access to many other tools, including Macbook laptop carts. These laptops have been used in every core subject as well as in language, art and music courses, and come with programs such as Garage Band, iMovie and iPhoto, which are often used in class projects.

Public opinion has been highly positive for improvements introduced this year, and the Chappaqua School Foundation is consistently supporting new initiatives with its many grants and projects. As these and copious other recent technological initiatives show, the town of New Castle and the Chappaqua Central School District are devoted to using 21st century innovation to make life easier, safer, and more enriching for all residents, whether they are raising a family or learning their ABCs.

Rachel Neuburger is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, her favorite book was A Bad Case of Stripes.

Cameras and iPhones and Kindles, Oh My!

August 16, 2013 by The Inside Press

By Amelia Abemayor

Technology.

It’s all around us; in our homes, our schools, even hidden in the deep depths of the earth. But what is it, really? By definition, technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. However, in a world where the number of Facebook friends defines a person and cell phones have practically become extensions of our bodies, technology has truly developed into more than just a simple dictionary definition.

Whether you’re a new-age Kindle or Nook owner or prefer to stick to plain old books, it is hard to imagine that we once lived in a world where technology did not have a major presence in everyday life. As society grows more and more dependent on technology, it seems as if we are losing the ability to survive without it. Just thinking about a day without my electronics gives me the chills, and leaves me wondering: what technology can we not live without?

I first looked at myself, your everyday teenage girl (who, according to her parents, happens to be a “technology addict”). I chose a random, standard day, and set out to go about my life normally; but this day was different. It was a day sans technology: I went to school with no phone, no laptop, and essentially (what felt like) no dignity. I soon realized the drastic effects technology has on me. Whether it is in class, or simply sitting at the school lunch table, technology’s presence has become irrevocably entwined with my life.

While I sat there with nothing but my backpack, my friends and peers were attached to their phones and practically drooling over their computers. Even teachers and staff throughout my classes relied on every piece of technology in their classrooms to teach. The struggle soon became real. It was hard to come to the realization that my life had been controlled by my electronics all this time, but I still tried to stick the day out.

That was, of course, until I got home. I felt empty, like something was missing; the withdrawal symptoms really hit when I got home from school. Unfortunately, my experiment failed miserably as I checked every single notification possible the second a computer was in sight.

Although my attempted research was unsuccessful, I was still eager to further investigate our world’s relationship with technology. I talked to friends, family, even my 84-year-old grandmother. The answers were all different and unique in their own way, just like every update of the iPhone. Some said they could go days without the buzzing and beeps, while others said they would experience the same withdrawal affects I dealt with that day.

It’s really crazy to think about. Could you go a day, even an hour without air conditioning? What about no cars, trains or planes? It would feel like the apocalypse, or the return of the Middle Ages. Technology has become so completely ingrained in our lives that it would be virtually impossible to eliminate it for even a day.

All in all, our love-hate relationship with technology keeps on growing and growing as our world keeps on advancing. Soon enough, the thought of a technology-free world won’t even be present in our minds. The world we live in today, and the future that awaits us, is constantly depending on technology in every single way.

Amelia Abemayor is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, her favorite book was Amelia Bedelia.