Program pulls more power
with PDAs

An economics class integrates
Palm Pilots into its curriculum

Student Q & A
Generations of education

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By Erica Koike
Sacred Hearts Academy

Technology is everywhere! From the newest 3-inch cell phones to the latest flat-screen televisions, technology is relentlessly making inroads into students' lives.

At Sacred Hearts Academy, the Advanced Placement Economics class for seniors has seized the opportunity to pilot the integration of the Palm Pilot personal digital assistant (PDA) into the curriculum.

"Students are able to create reports or do homework on their Palms that they would normally do on a computer, but they can do it anywhere at any time," said AP Economics teacher Lurline Choy. "They just send their work via infrared beams to my Palm, which is synched or connected to my teacher laptop computer, where I check the work. It's a real time-saver for the students and for me."

Although the Palms were not originally in students' plans for the school year, they paid an additional $250 for a set that included a Palm Pilot, cradle, 24 MB expansion card, Franklin Covey software, charger and a loaned collapsible keyboard. The academy purchased all this directly from Franklin Covey Co., saving students at least $150.

"My mom was surprised and skeptical at first about buying the Palm because she thought I would not be using it much, but now we realize it is worth it," said student Michelle Young. "Instead of waiting to use a computer in the tech labs, I can do my homework on my Palm. I can even work while waiting for my mother to pick me up. My entries can then be synched into my computer at home where I print them out."

Student Amanda Fujita said: "It's better than using my laptop. With laptops, I have to worry about adapters, and they require a lot of charging. Palms are hand-held and compact. I can do my work in the car on the way home. All I need is the Palm and a stylus."

Students can also access media such as the Internet, news, and weather and stock updates through their Palms.

"We often have class discussions where students compare sources of information such as the New York Times or Business Week, which they have downloaded in five minutes," Choy said. "Before this, students had to read the newspaper or magazine. Now students are eagerly scrolling through texts digitally."

But there are some drawbacks.

"Since the battery runs low fast, I have to charge it often," Rachel Nartatez said. "It uses up a lot of power while going from place to place, editing information and especially synching into my computer. But I'm used to it now and remember to charge the battery before I come to school so that it doesn't run out."

Viruses can also affect Palms. "One senior who downloads tons of stuff from the Internet into her Palm has caused several of us to lose our information," Lizzeth Carreon said. "When she beamed stuff at us, all of our Palms froze and a white screen appeared. The virus was attached to what she was sending us."

Still, the benefits are clear. The Palms only help students become more technologically savvy and better organized in preparing for college.

"I use mine as an organizer outside of class," Emily Wong said. "I keep track of school meetings, write and store my research papers and know when I have extracurricular activities, such as Lit Corps. It helps keep me well organized.

"My Palm is not just for school," Wong continued. "I can also use it for fun things like games and other entertaining programs that allow me to view pictures, as well as play MP3s."

The pilot program is just the beginning. "Our goal is to acquire an infrared printer for the Palms so that in the future, students can go straight from working on their Palms to printing without even using the computer," Choy said.

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You asked

What do you like most about going to an all-girls Catholic school?

Photos by Rachel Manuel, Sacred Hearts Academy

Cheryl Valenzuela
Junior
"Attending a Catholic school gives me the freedom to talk about my beliefs. I have learned how important my beliefs are, and I value them."

Megan Centeio
Junior
"The student population of the academy is so diverse that students are prepared for life anywhere, including the mainland or foreign countries. Although it is a Catholic school, even non-Catholics feel free to discuss their beliefs, traditions and experiences."

Sheela-Jane Menon
Junior
"Boundaries that sometimes prevent girls from joining activities like air riflery, golfing or the electric car team are blown away at an all-girls school. At the same time, we're the ones taking part in the so-called feminine activities, such as dance performances and fine-arts classes."

Gina Fernandez
Junior
"The best aspect of our all-girls school is that teachers know us and help us to understand and learn. They want us to excel in life, not just in high school."

Bailey Tantsits
Freshman
"With no boys on campus, girls get a chance to talk about things which concern them. We learn more about ourselves as individuals."

Jennifer Tung
Junior
"Our teachers motivate us, encourage us and tell us we can be anybody we want to be if we just work hard and want to do it."

Anne Yamanoha
Sophomore
"The academy has helped to shape my character. Being in a stimulating academic environment has pushed me to focus on my studies with the encouragement and support of faculty and classmates."

Kristina Sault
Freshman
"Activities outside the classroom reinforce classroom teaching. Clubs, sports and student organizations keep us busy, active and well rounded."

Tiffany Kiyabu
Senior
"I like the personal attention and relationships with teachers who guide us and allow us to become well-rounded young women. The challenging curriculum and various teaching techniques are customized toward girls' learning styles."

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