COMPUTING: NEW TECHNOLOGY PLANNED FOR CAPE SCHOOLS

Central High School teacher Katy Andersson instructed students to finish printing, log out and turn in their computer-generated letters.

Not uncommon directions from a computer teacher, but the technology used for the assignment marks a big step forward, Andersson says.

A computer lab, designed and install over the summer, consists of a network of 25 IBM-compatible computers. It is the first update for Central's basic computer instruction course in 10 years.

But not the last, said Principal Dan Tallent. The school is in the process of developing a five-year plan to update technology.

It is also a beginning for a districtwide plan to infuse technology, especially computers, in Cape Girardeau schools.

To help implement the plan, a district technology coordinator, Kimberly Gwyn, has been hired. Previously, the job was held by a technician who serviced and maintained equipment.

Gwyn will also coordinate efforts to increase technology, train staff and faculty, and research funding options.

"There is so much out there to offer," Gwyn said. "But we don't have any consistency. We need to be headed toward a common goal."

The goal, Tallent said, is to give students more opportunities to use technology.

Tallent said, "As a school district, we need to be sensitive to what students are expected to know when they go into college or industry."

They need to know computers. More and more jobs at all levels require computer-literate employees. Already many students have after-school jobs that use computers.

"It's our responsibility to try to make sure the students who leave here have had at least some basic experiences," Tallent said. "Right now, we don't."

At Central High, a committee is discussing what needs to be done, what hardware and software needs to be purchased.

Tallent said once the plan is set and priorities mapped out, money will be found. "We will take some of our current funding and redirect it," he said. "If it's a priority, then let's make it a priority."

The new computer lab is booked all day every day with basic computer courses.

Tallent wants to see computers accessible for students in other courses, like English, biology and math.

"We need to have other facilities available so when students see a way to use technology in their course work, it's available," he said.

Andersson said the plan is long overdue. Central High's computing students previously had been working on long outdated Apple IIE computers. The old computers were moved to a new lab and will be used for writing exercises.

Using the new computers, students are learning word processing, data base and spreadsheet programs using Microsoft Works with the Windows software.

In the advanced computer course, students are learning WordPerfect, DBase and Lotus programs.

In another effort to update the course, freshmen and sophomores are allowed to enroll. Previously only juniors and seniors were eligible.

"Computers are rapidly changing," Andersson said. "We need to be keeping up."