As I clicked submit on Mr. Byrd’s survey about the effectiveness of laptops, I realized it was probably the fourth or fifth I had taken concerning laptop usage. Yet, a month or two after each survey this year has shown no improvement.
In March, students were asked about how (in)effective our cases are and there was no change. In January, Lasso reporter Ellen Rhee investigated how students were truly using their laptops and found most were enjoying the perks of a Netflix subscription, and administration did nothing.
But at least the administration was asking me, even if they weren’t going to use the info. There was no survey about GM’s new Makerspace. Oh, you haven’t heard?
“The makerspace is going to consist of a variety of tools, electronic equipment, basically anything you would need to build, record, or create something,” said Mr. Kevin Clark, assistant principal. “3D printing capabilities, we’re looking at different way to cut out materials…anything from laser materials to items in Mr. Ballou’s shop.”
Administrative hopes for the use of this space are founded. With the MYP implementation upcoming, this space could be used for the hands-on final project, at the end of sophomore year.
That being said, let’s be realistic here: MYP students will not be hindered if they are without a laser cutter. I can still construct a DNA strand out of wire and pipe cleaners and be just as involved, if not more, than if I were to simply tell a printer to make it for me. As for the space being used for new video production classes, these laptops are effectively creating audio and video projects for me, although I’ve only had one assignment all year that asked me to do so.
Putting aside that dollar sign followed by a question mark in your mind, let’s focus on the influences in this decision.
Behind the scenes is the district’s STEAM committee (Science Technology Engineering Arts Math), consisting of administrators, teachers, and community members involved in technology-related areas across FCCPS. The principals from all of the schools in FCCPS are members of the committee, as well as school board chair, Mr. Justin Castillo, and numerous administrators such as Mr. Hills and Mr. Clark at GM.
The push for STEAM comes from our School Board. The superintendent was requested by the School Board in her work plan to pay special attention to the committee. In Priority 1.5 of the Falls Church City Schools Staff Work Plan, 2015-17: “[The School Board wants to] expand student access to STEAM disciplines by expanding and enhancing STEAM related course offerings and activities across all schools beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.”
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“The STEAM committee is very strong, they want STEAM-oriented teaching and learning happening,” said Superintendent Jones.
- Students in charge of the student help desk during Block 2 use their TV to watch an episode of “How I Met Your Mother.” Mason is overflowing with technology, and students often find one of its many uses is in their Netflix account. For me, this raises concerns of the true uses of technology and creates doubt about the value of the new makerspace. (Photo Credit Lasso Staff.)
While there are community members on this committee, those who are the headsof the advisory boards are members in the school system in administrative positions. While the committee is considered an open committee, there has been no effort in getting students involved. Now get to sit here alongside my teachers who are not on the committee, voiceless, while our school tumbles down a hill into technology’s oblivion, all under the committee’s discretion.
Dr. Jones’ response to English, social studies, and foreign language teachers being left in the dark is simply: “If you are a teacher and you’re not really in the mix of the whole STEAM committee, it is really hard to know what’s going on.”
Jones and Clark made sure to mention that all teachers and classes would be able to use the Makerspace. If that’s true, then why aren’t they involved in the development process as well? Why aren’t all teachers aware of what this project is?
When I asked a handful of teachers if they had heard about the Makerspace, they either said they had heard about a 3D printer, or nothing at all. Secondly, when the subject of possible integration of their class into the Makerspace was brought up, some could not think of a way to integrate their teaching into the space.
“It’s not like I would use a 3D printer, and I would have hard time envisioning creatively tying in [my lesson],” said Mrs. Karin Tooze, English teacher at Mason.
Now, back to that dollar sign that is stuck in your head. Recently approved by the School Board, our budget has allocated a whopping $232,950 towards Materials and Supplies for George Mason (classroom materials, office supplies, textbooks, media center materials, software, PE equipment, guidance materials, science lab materials, band materials). Clark confirmed?the projected cost of the Makerspace to come in around $40,000, around 20% of the supplies portion of the budget.
If during the school year, the Makerspace needs more funds, (for example, the retailed $14,317 laser printer) the superintendent can “allocate funds in the bigger budget from the larger categories. Within the schools, the principals look for what they need and bring it to me,”said Jones. “It’s driven by what people in that building are needing and wanting for supplies.”
So, if the STEAM committee is filled with members such as Mr. Clark, Mr. Hills, and Mr. Byrd, and those are the administrators from George Mason who Dr. Jones will look to for money allocation, where is that money going? Straight to the Makerspace.
“That portion of the budget is the same one where the English department would get new novels,” said Tooze. “Prior to this interview, I hadn’t heard about this. Of course, I want to be informed about this.”
When asked about why money is being allocated towards STEAM subject areas as opposed to the three out of eight stalls in the girls bathroom that won’t close, Dr. Jones explained that since our school will be rebuilt in the next 12-36 months, there is no reason to allocate funds to maintenance. In fact, according to Dr. Jones, the maintenance budget for the 2016 school year was trimmed.
“When you design a high school 50 years out, hopefully the high school doesn’t look the same as it did 50 years ago,” said Jones. “Out of these components and processes, we have a STEAM lab that looks really different than a regular chem lab or physics lab.”
This means there is constant money put towards buying materials for the Makerspace, and yet the building it will be created in is going to be gone within the next few years, according to Jones’ timeline. There doesn’t seem to be any hesitation in putting money toward this new component of the high school that is soon to be torn down. If we are trying to save money in preparation for the new school, why is it that my privacy while using the restroom is second to a 3D printer?
I am outraged that the School Board allows a committee to have so much control over what is taught and what is given money in our school. I am appalled that so many teachers were left in the dark about this project. I am enraged that I am unable to use a bathroom stall because there is a trash bag over the seat, but somehow, there is room for a project that costs $40,000. Finally, I am afraid of this roller coaster of technological pressure in the classroom speeding toward the latest trends influenced by a single committee. How much longer until we crash?
