Classroom Laptops Re-Examined

The Mosaic A PUBLICATION OF THE HUGH N. BOYD JOURNALISM DIVERSITY WORKSHOP AT MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY IN WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ JULY 27, 2007 Classroom How moved are we? laptops re-examined BY SHARON KIM STAFF WRITER In the fall of 2006, school districts, such as Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, installed laptops in classrooms to facilitate learning and to motivate students. At first, this seemed like a brilliant idea to school administrations: paperless classrooms, instant information and the convenience of cut-and-paste. Brian Kwee, a senior at Bergen County Academies, said, “I think that laptops are useful tools in our school. With these laptops, students can save time with their research.” Because of these advantages, the Pascack Valley High School District launched “1:1 Laptop eLearning Initiative,” a program that gave faculty and students wireless laptops. This four-year project was implemented Marta Paczkowska/Staff Photographer in 2004 to change the way teachers teach A handkerchief is draped over a concert goer’s head at the Live Earth concenrt held at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on July 7. and students learn. The administration believed that with access to any information any time, students were better prepared for their education. Concert inspires environmental change According to a presentation by Paul Cohen, assistant superintendent at the BY MARTA PACZKOWSKA namely by making everyday eco-friendly asked if he signed the pledge after seeing Pascack Valley Regional High School, STAFF WRITER choices and signing a seven-point pledge, the concert at Giants Stadium, Jeff Laux, to the school’s Board of Education in devised by Gore to support “green” a freshman at the College of New Jersey, February 2004, studies showed technology S.O.S. This time our ship is not sinking, lifestyles, politicians, and businesses. said that he mentally signed it. had a positive effect of technology on but our planet. Al Gore’s three-year global A ticker on the Giant’s Stadium stage Kristen Hariton, a freshman at student performance. climate change campaign tells us we need read at one point during the show, “A Montclair State University, said she didn’t Mr. Cohen said, “In Henrico County, the to Save Our Selves. Concert for Change—A Movement for “officially” sign the pledge. district points to 100 percent of its schools Gore’s call was delivered to fans at the Change,” but how moved were people? There was also a lot of criticism being certified by the state of Virginia. Live Earth concert extravaganza on July Although there were a significant concerning the amount of pollution This figure is up from 78 percent with high 7 in nine locations around the world, on number of people clad in green at Giants and garbage generated by the 24-hour, school students scoring the highest of all all seven continents. Fans were urged to Stadium, there were no guarantees of who [See EARTH, Page 4] the schools in the neighboring districts.” “answer the call” to tackle global warming, would comply with Gore’s request. When [See LAPTOPS, Page 2] Small organization helps ease federal immigration issue BY JONATHAN GUERRA American culture. the United States’ status as a accountable. have also felt the burden of STAFF WRITER The FCDC believes it is an “melting pot” is acting as both an In Fairview, many of the having to determine immigration The Franciscan Community organization that operates from asset and a hindrance. immigrants are from Latin regulations on a local level. Development Center in Fairview, the heart of the individual rather She also stated that responsibility America. However, they are not They also do their best to N.J., may be a small obscure than a company or corporation is a major part of the situation and the only immigrants. incorporate immigrants into organization, but the scope of the that would seek profit. how it is handled. Stigmas and stereotypes have society in a way that is humane. group’s vision is not. The government is yet to release Part of the legal liability involved plagued the Latin American “The mission is to put the The FCDC is just one of many a comprehensive set of guidelines in some groups of immigrants community and this is a direct ‘community’ back into all organizations that deals with the as far as immigration reform involves the American contractors impact on how the issue of Community Development Centers issue of immigration on a local and enforcement are concerned. who hire undocumented labor. In immigration is treated. and to encourage a sense of level in response to the lack of Therefore, the burden of such terms of supply and demand, if Nevertheless, the FCDC brotherhood amongst all people, federal initiative. decisions has recently been the American contractors were not also serves all members of the especially the poor, the forgotten, At the core of the FCDC’s responsibility of individual towns demanding this labor, the problem community; including non- and the oppressed,” Calaccurcio message is education. It believes and municipalities. would not persist. immigrants who need the basic said. the key to effectively dealing with When asked about the issue of In many cases, the vulnerability services they provide. In essence, organizations like the issue of immigration is through immigration on a national scale, of some immigrants is exploited A center like the FCDC faces the FCDC strive to promote education and that through this Susan Calaccurcio, the director through unfair wages. This is the challenge of immense fellowship amongst all people education a new productive group of the FCDC said that it was a why both the immigrants and responsibility. regardless of their economic, of citizens will be assimilated into “double-edged sword”, and that the contractors must be held Other communities like Passaic social, or legal status. MOSAICSPORTS MOSAICVIEW MOSAICRETRO NY Liberty’s Kraayeveld A perspective on the The Mosaic looks back at a leads valiant effort Colombian drug trade ’67 year of intense rioting Page 19 Page 16 Page 10 Page 2 N E W S July 27, 2007 New iPhone makes mobile web easier BY MICHAELLE BOND STAFF WRITER When Stephen Chiger, co-director of the Hugh N. Boyd Journalism Diversity Workshop at Monmouth University, wants to get his students to do something, all he has to do is say the word “iPhone.” Suddenly, all of the teenagers in the room, who weren’t interested a moment before, are all for whatever Steve wants them to do - Abhishék Seth/Staff Photographer whether it’s answering a question or memorizing the iPods revolutionize education entire newspaper to ace the daily BY TAYLOR COOK AND MELISSA REYES bookwork. to architecture with the option news quiz, just STAFF WRITERS The features include tutorials to listen to a guest speaker on for the sliver of a Songs and movies aren’t the with test-taking tips, practice campus. chance to win the only things you can get on quizzes of close to 1,000 “With the advancement of MP3 gadget dubbed the iTunes these days. In attempts questions, and the capability to go technologies, it seemed even more “Jesus phone.” to broaden their horizons, Apple over your answers with question possible to get course content to With a nickname now provides lectures and study analysis and the breakdown of students anytime, anywhere,” like that and all of guides. your performance with statistics. NJIT Humanities professor the hype about its Several universities and Kaplan Schaffer said that he thinks the Norbert Elliot, whose lectures are advent, the iPhone Test Prep, a company that offers programs are “just another way to on iTunes U, said. has a lot to live up courses and study materials in reinforce what students know.” Elliot explained that he would to. After all, some preparation for standardized “Nothing will take the place of have his students listen to the people camped out tests like the SAT, are providing taking a course or doing practice lecture before going to class. in front of Apple content offered by Apple and were exams on a regular basis, “ he On the day of class students stores waiting for released the week of June 13. said. would conduct discussions, give the June 29 release Intended for high school Pol Chelmis, a junior at and answer questions about the of the device like students preparing for college, Asheville High School in North lecture. they were on Kaplan Test Prep has created a Carolina, had mixed feelings Most content on iTunes U is free line for tickets to collection of interactive study about the product. but there is some material that is see their favorite games formatted specifically for “I think it’s a cool [application], just for registered students. bands. Apple’s Video iPod that will quiz and a cool idea to have it on your “Our podcasts are designed to be As for the students for the SAT while they’re iPod.” more than just a recording of the people who don’t on the go. He believed that it would help lecture,” James Moore, Distance already own an “Learning is reinforced through hard workers achieve greater Learning and DePaul University iPhone, the device multiple kinds of studying,” success, because they are more of College of Commerce has many features Russell Schaffer of Kaplan Media likely to use it in their spare time. professor, said. that will have them Courtesy of Apple.com relations said. “Not all students He did have some reservations, “Face-to-face classes are more “accidentally” losing their current cell phone and running for the learn the same.” though. “It is relatively simple than just a lecture – there is nearest Apple retail store.

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