MPHS CATE Class Introduces Older Adults to Email
Service-Learning Grant
At Mount Pleasant High School community service is an important part of education. And this is especially true in the Career and Technology Department.
Kristen Hamilton’s computer applications class participated in a service-learning project that began last school year. The project was part of The Texas Center for Service Learning grant that seeks to improve student achievement through the thoughtful integration of community service with powerful academic learning.
“The student led project began with brainstorming on community needs,” Hamilton explained. “After choosing to work with the elderly at local nursing homes, the next step was figuring out what the students wanted to do for them while tying it into the technology curriculum. The results where educating the elderly on the latest communication technology such as email, webcasting and chatting. The idea was they could better communicate with their families and friends who they may otherwise rarely get to talk to or see with the right technology.”
In February of 2009 the class carried laptops to Pleasant Springs Healthcare, where they set them up and demonstrated how to hook them up, access the Internet and type letters. They visited with the residents to see what they would like to learn about technology and shared stories of the past. After learning what was needed, the students returned to the classroom and began searching for equipment that could be placed in the nursing home so the residents could utilize the technology. With the grant money, the students picked out and bought a large portable computer cabinet, large wide screen monitor, computer, web cam and microphone.
The equipment was delivered to the nursing home this fall and, even though the granted ended last school year, several of the students are returning to Pleasant Springs Healthcare this year to set up the new system and teach the residents how to use the new equipment.
Pictured are members of Hamilton’s 2008-2009 6th period Computer Applications class: (l-r) Temo Saldana, Breanna Easley, Ryan Smallwood, Jazmin Bautista, Kevin Alvarado, Shawanda Askew, Luis Bello, Mrs. Kristin Hamilton, Cassondra Talbert, Daniel Rodriguez, Walter De la Rosa, Anny Serna
