Abington High School - Oracle Yearbook (Abington, PA)

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“User Some seniors can now breathe a sigh of relief. Chances are they have successfully avoided using what teachers consider the most valuable asset to the Abington curriculum -computers. Until recently computer courses were solely electives. Only students who enjoyed the challenge of designing their own programs were the staunch supporters of computer science. However, as parents and educators continued to stress the pertinent role of computers in today's job market, Abington responded by expanding its computer science program in various departments throughout the school. The improvements were costly as well as time consuming. Computers were slowly in- Friendly tegrated into the English Department, chaired by Dr. Robert Burt. The most crucial benefit of computers, he explains, is the ability to make multiple revisions without multiple rewrites us- ... as parents and educators continued to stress the pertinent role of computers in today’s job market, Abington responded .. . ing a public domain writing program. Likewise, Journalism and Creative Writing classes are taking advantage of the Apple lie system. Students are advised to carefully organize their ideas on pa- per before they start typing their stories into the machine. The writings can then be stored in the computer memory bank, which makes “rearranging ideas, revising the text, or altering the writing style very easy in the future. Not only do students learn how to operate the system, but every teacher comprising the English Department took part in mandatory teacher computer inservice sessions last school year (1986-1987). After they learned the fundamentals of this creative machine for arts as well as sciences” teachers could then use the computer as a teaching tool for students of all ability levels. Right: Hmmm ... did this come out right? 24 Academic Life Above: Hey Mike, your computer or mine? ?

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Your Side YOU . . . m a STUDY HABITS . . . eat ice cream and chips . . . drink soda . . . stay in your room on your bed . . . listen to the radio or T.V. When doing homework-if you do it! i I Depends what's on t.v j 7 Dan Rhynhart, Junior GRADES . . . Delight Or Terror? “If I got a “C , my parents would throw me a party.” Chrissie Gramlich, Senior I don't want to be a trashman. Justin Alpaugh, Junior They are important to an extent, but I will not get an ulcer from them.” Nichole Stella, Senior “The little number after G.P.A. on the report card determines my life span.” Steve Kelley, Junior A Eileen Foley English Academic Decathalon Gary Jackson Industrial Arts Ellen Fonda Home Economics Usherettes Carrie Jones Special Education HOW ABOUT IT... Weighted Grades “It's good-the subjects are harder so you should get rewards. Jeff Bender, Junior “It should go on a diet.” Tom Cassidy, Senior “All men are created equally, they should be graded equally.” Phil Compton, Senior YOUR METHODS ON Term I like to do it my way! My paperM'll do it my way!” Adam Carangi, Senior “I mess mine up and usually fail. I went by the guidelines once and failed anyway! Patrick McLaughlin, Senior Papers “I write them in crayon! Brett Bonfield, Senior It's much easier just to buy them.” Michael Silberman, Senior Academic Life 23

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. . . Technology Peaks During Abington’s Centennial (continued from page 24) Dr. Burt also stresses that the installation of computers breaks the economic barrier” at Abington. Whether students use the Apple lie at school or in addition are fortunate to have one at home, the results are the same—a computer education for the increasing computer generation. The Music Department is also following in synch with the updated computer program, contends Mr. John Musika. The Apple computer allows music students to not only hear the melodies they are playing but also helps them to visualize the music.” The course is called Computer Based Music (Levels I, II. III). Students begin with relatively simple assignments like composing a c” scale on the computer. Eventually the ultimate goal is to design a musical composition using a variety of tones and then it can immediately be played back to the student so he she can somewhat comprehend what the composition would sound like with a real band or orchestra. Mr. Musika calls this technological process teaching traditional subjects through technical means. Mr. Brian Reiff, a mathematics and computer sci- The Music Department is also following in synch with the updated computer program . . . ence teacher, instructs all levels of the Apple Computer (Basic, Fortran, and Pascal). Advanced students are offered the opportunity to take A.P. Computer Science. Enrolled students range from computer programming wizards to those who are interested in a related computer career. Computers are also used to aid students in the Tells (Remedial) Math program. The machines help students practice on their own if extra help is needed outside of the classroom. Mr. Reiff contends that computers aren't for everyone, but most students seem to enjoy the challenge of solving problems and designing programs. Mr. Reiff also sponsors two Computer Bowls each year which gives interested students the opportunity to test their acquired knowledge against other local high school students. Tovah Kasdin Academic Life 25