By Kelly Heilman
Staff Writer Many students in Red Lion Senior High own a smartphone these days. Many of which use their device during class because many teachers now allow the use of personal technology in their classrooms. A few students were surveyed to see if using their smartphone during class is beneficial to their learning experience. When asked if smartphones were helpful in classes Senior, Gabby McCarty said, “Yes because it’s a faster way to look up information needed to complete our classwork versus taking the time to sign in and wait to get connected to the school’s computers.” Senior Natalie Barrett was asked if she finds herself getting distracted by using her smartphone in class and said, “Yes, all the time because I am always listening to my music, and always finding something exciting because of how much phones can do these days.” When asked how she thought using smartphones could be beneficial to her learning experience Senior, Sierra Donovan responded with, “If I ever need an accurate definition I can just look it up.” All three seniors were asked if any of their teachers did not allow the use of smartphones during class, and all of them answered yes. Some Red Lion teachers still prefer the traditional, “no phones in the classroom,” way of teaching. Mrs. Samantha Smith was asked if she thought that having smartphones in class was beneficial to students. She said, “Yes, this way students can function to a higher level and it will prepare them for future employment.” When asked if she believed that smartphones are causing too many distractions, K-12 technology education coach Mrs. Samantha Smith answered, “It depends. There is a maturity level that comes with the technology. Kids should be taught what is and is not appropriate.” There are many differing opinions on the use of technology in the classroom, but survey says the outcome is looking positive.
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By Nicolas Stoneham Staff Writer Sometimes it can be difficult to handle certain situations when using social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter. When talking face to face with a person, it is a lot easier to express emotions and understand the motives of the person. However, talking to people indirectly online is not so simple. Maybe someone unfamiliar comments on a stranger’s picture. Maybe someone from school posts a status that people may find offensive or annoying. In the real world, it is the “norm” to always respond immediately to someone when they speak to you, but in the social networking world it is more acceptable to not always reply or comment back which raises the question if it is okay to not always give a response. “If someone I don’t know comments on a picture or something on Facebook, I usually just ignore it. I might ‘like’ the comment to be polite but nothing further than that,” senior Cassandra Carter said. With Facebook gaining popularity and more users over the years, it is very common to be stuck in a situation where a random person comments on a status or photo and you just don’t know how or if you should respond. Senior Sebrina Joynes says those situations can easily be avoided by being more cautious of who to add and accept as friends. “I think every friend on Facebook should be at least an acquaintance, that way you won’t have to worry about people you don’t know commenting on all your stuff,” Joynes said. Sarah Harrington, a senior, said she “only accepts people who have more than 50 mutual friends with me in common, that way I know it’s pretty safe.” Another ongoing issue is arguments regarding the statuses or tweets people write. Often, statuses are very opinionated and can easily offend or annoy users who hold different opinions and happen to see these statuses displayed on their News Feed. “People need to think before they post statuses. A lot of times they say things they are going to regret and cause huge arguments. Facebook isn’t the place for arguments and debates.” said senior Cassandra Carter. “Facebook is a social networking site for you to go on about anything and everything you wish. You practice freedom of speech by doing so. However! It’s one thing if you post a status. It’s another if you go onto someone else’s wall, and verbally attack them for something they posted. It’s a respect thing. So yeah, you’re entitled to your own opinion, but don’t disrespect someone solely based on the fact your opinion is different than there’s,” Red Lion alumnus Jessica Rineer said. While there are many issues involving social networking, they can easily be avoided by being careful who to add and accept and keeping any negative comments repressed. Everything depends on how users handle the situations. By Phoenix Ashman
Staff Writer New apps for Apple products are made every day. Therefore, the top 25 free apps change constantly. While apps such as Snapchat, Instagram, Pandora, YouTube, and Vine are still a part of that 25, many new apps have surfaced on the radar of popularity. The number one app on the list of free apps goes by the name of QuizUp: The biggest trivia game in the world. QuizUp is a trivia game with 250 topics like music, movies, sports and many others. The app allows you to play with not only with your friends, but people all over the world. Other games on the top 25 include Skee Ball Arcade, Zombie Killer Squad, GT Racing 2: The Real Car Experience, MoviePop, Deer Hunter 2014, Candy Crush, Monopoly Bingo, and Word Scramble. The Top 25 free apps also include PicFlow, Bitstrips, My Talking Tom, and more! Senior Courtney McBride told the Leonid her top favorites. “YouTube, for music. And another app called Smule Sing because I record myself on it and can connect with people around the world and sing with them as well. I also am obsessed with Hay Day, which I have on my iPad. It’s like FarmVille but it’s more realistic and just so … fun!” she finished with a laugh. Junior Claire Krackow prefers social media apps. “My most favorite app is snapchat because it’s funny and thrilling because you only get to see the picture for 10 seconds. I also love Pinterest because it has all kinds of different ideas from hair, food, to makeup and clothing” Senior Alex Clark said, “My favorite apps are Facebook, Instagram, and iFunny because Facebook allows me to be able to express my opinions to my network of friends. Same goes with Instagram. Instagram is great for uploading pictures of memories you can cherish forever. They both allow you to share your beliefs, and they both give you a voice to you social network of friends. iFunny is just something to look at when I’m bored and it has a bunch of hilarious pictures.” The Apple app store is constantly changing, and even though right now the number one app is QuizUp, next month it could be a new game or the latest social media app. |
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