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 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. By Nicole Thivierge Co-Editor-In-Chief Red Lion Senior High was buzzing on September 18th as the new iPhone update, iOS 7, was released. The new update includes a new design and a simpler interface. There are many new features that the iOS7 includes, such as Air Drop, a new Control Center, smarter multitasking screen, and a new notification center. Apple also decided to go with a whole new design. It is simpler, more useful and more enjoyable, but still familiar to users. While some were buzzing about making 3GB of space on their devices for the update, many were talking about the overall design. “I hate it,” senior Isaac Mason Phillips-Carey said. “The design of it looks like you’re playing as a kid. I like the iOS6 better because it’s more professional and not like, kiddy.” The minimalist design is definitely different from the clean-cut look of the iOS6. “It looks weird now. It looks too big. It looks cartoony. I like how it works better, it just looks weird,” senior NaToshia Spear said. Despite the negative reviews of the appearance, many are raving about the new features of the phone. “I like how you can block people now. I like how you can take a square picture, and have the effects on the photos,” Phillips-Carey said. Change is not an easy thing to conquer, especially when it is on the all-important gadget: the cell phone. Though the new design on the iOS7 is not warmly received, the new features and functions are a hit. Google has announced the project of their self-driving car back in 2010. Photo courtesy of PC World. By Joseph Skibicki Tech Writer It’s the twenty first century and technology gets better every day. From cell phones, to computers to cars, and Google’s new self-driving smart car is turning quite a few heads and the Leonid has the scoop. Sebastian Thun and his team of five engineers who won the 2005 DARPA grand challenge are leading this new project. Google announced it back in 2010. The goal of the project is to make driving safer, and easier. The new car is under extensive testing for safety, accuracy, and proficiently. The car works like cruise control on lots of later model vehicle, that can be put in manual driving by touching the steering wheel or brake. The car maintains the speed limits recorded on its maps. The car has been driven on many dangerous roads,and only has one reported crash and the car was not in self drive mode, but in manual. The car has driven 300,000 miles with out accident. As of September California, Nevada, and Florida have made self driving cars legal allowing self driving car licenses this could change the future of the road and our personal safety on the road forever. This could be the beginning of something great. Courtesy of CBSNews.com By Joseph Skibicki Tech Writer On January eighth the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show kicked off and ran until January eleventh, showcasing some of the best technology to be released in the near future and the Leonid has the scoop. The first amazing thing that caught our eyes were the amazing tablets. First there was Panasonic’s 4k Windows 8 tablet. It’s a 20 inch tablet making this one of the biggest tablets ever. The tablet has a high definition screen with 230 pixels per inch this tablet makes bigger better. The second was the Vizio Windows 8 tablet. This tablet is running a full version of Windows 8, not an RT version. The tablet has no fans because it’s running AMDs 260 processor which should should keep the system cool. The tablet can run the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 at medium settings, proving this system is very powerful. As 2013 begins to roll in we are beginning to see and hear more and more about the console race that’s said to begin this year. One of the new consoles is the Piston by Xi3. This console is super small compared to current consoles--it can be held in one hand! The piston functions as a computer able to run Linux or Windows. The console is also easily upgraded with a card system that can be easily switched out. The next thing that caught our attention was Youms new flexible OLED. This screen stole the show for us. This screen a plastic OLED screen that is paper thin and bendable because OLD screens create their own light, no back light is needed. This makes it possible for these screens to be so thin. The idea of this is mind blowing and could be a massive game changer for cell phones and tablets, and it is a project we should all keep our eyes on. With all these cool pieces of technology we can already see that 2013 is gonna be a good year for the technology industry. Keep reading the Leonid as we will be covering all these tech items and more as they are released. Courtesy of Geek.com Vanessa Comer Staff Writer The Wii was a record breaking phenomenon with its motion sensing remotes and new innovative games. Now Nintendo has come out with something completely new: the Wii U. The Wii U is a GamePad, supposedly a throwback to the NES Gamepad. The Wii U has a 6.2 inch touch screen, motion sensor and two thumbsticks for the ultimate game play. With the GamePad able to act like a large Wii Remote, it can also be a separate window from the actual game on your television screen. Nintendo has offered plenty of games for the Wii U already such as ZombiU. This game is expected to attract a large amount of zombie fans. The GamePad has a special quality in games, such as ZombiU, that immerse you even further into your gameplay. You can raise your GamePad up and use it as a sniper scope or a scanner to reveal where your undead foes are hiding. In this game you can shake the pad to get zombies off of your animated player, creating an up-close and personal experience with your rotting enemies. Another game possibility includes the ever popular “Batman: Arkham City”, which is now put in a different perspective. A player can use their pad as a way to open Batman’s inventory, seemingly putting you in the shoes of Batman himself. With the motion sensing coming into play, the game includes personal control of the Batarang. The Lego games have always attracted a younger audience, while also keeping the interest of the older gamers. “Lego City: Undercover” is included in the many game options. Seems like the Wii U includes some good Lego fun. Not only does the Wii U have amazingly fantastic games, it also has some new social features such as video chat and game specific messaging boards. Players can also chat via Pictochat with hand-drawn doodles or short messages. Along with the Wii U, a new Mii based universe, ironically called Miiverse, is now included in which players can leave helpful hints and tips in games. The Wii U is definitely a large leap in the gaming world, though skeptics remain. The gaming consoles of today have been revolutionized beyond what gamers could have hoped for. Nintendo keeps up the competition, pumping out new innovative ideas, and keeping Wii followers on their toes. |
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