Fontana A. B. Miller High School, California
Keeping tech-savvy Internet-users on the right track
Today’s high school students are sophisticated Internet-users. Combining their tech-savvy with the rebellious, curious natures that teens are known for creates a challenge for any school that incorporates Internet research into the learning process. The challenge is particularly acute in high school library media centers, where students are largely responsible for their own behavior and activities.
At Fontana A. B. Miller High School, Media Services Director Mona Shehata loves using Vision classroom management software.
There are 4,300 students using the media center’s 21 computers, with only Shehata and her assistant to help. “These kids are smart,” Shehata said. “Even with the district firewall, they can figure out how to get to the Internet. They used to wait till I was busy, then sneak around on the Internet.”
Now with Vision firmly entrenched in the media center’s infrastructure, Shehata’s supervision duties are significantly lighter, allowing her to focus on helping students with their work.
“If students are online and trying to do research into a topic or find a book title, I can see what they’re doing, find it on my computer and then show them on theirs, all without leaving my desk unattended,” Shehata said. “I help them get started on their assignments, so they don’t put it off.”
An additional bonus for Shehata is that helping students in this way can speed up a student’s progress, freeing up the workstation for someone else much more quickly. “Every class is 35 students, so the sooner I help them find what they need, the better,” Shehata said. “Plus, I’m always trying to promote books to the kids, so this helps to transition them.”
With Vision entrenched as the cornerstone of her computer system management, Shehata has few problems keeping students on task in the media center.
