The Case for More RAM

By Chris Bybee

The usage and benefits of laptops that have a higher amount of RAM (Random Access Memory) can be very useful to both teachers and students in the sense that this extra memory can allow laptops and older desktops to handle more programs at the same time or run a single program extremely fast. As all teachers at school know, there is a program called Lightspeed installed on all computers and personal devices in the school. This program uses a great deal of your computer's RAM to block features and websites on the school computers. This exhibits why our laptops need more RAM and how this can be more beneficial to teachers and students.

This can help both parties, we will start off with the teacher point of view. As a teacher, you will constantly have several programs running at one time such as Word, Skyward and several internet tabs open at once. Maybe a teacher wants to use a document camera to show the answers to last night's homework or for a new lesson. If multiple tabs are open that you need and cannot close this will cause your image to look pretty rough and appear to be skipping. It may look like a slide show because your system cannot give enough attention to that program because the other programs are running in the background and taking up all of your RAM. In conclusion, adding additional RAM in the school's computers can significantly speed up lessons so that teachers can move on to more important topics for their class.

Moving on to the students' point of view. The average student in school has at least once blamed their computer for not getting their assignments done, even I have. (Yes, just today in fact. Techy Thursday? - KW) However, with additional RAM, students and staff will have fewer problems with their computers. Adding more RAM can stop the freezing or crashing of your system because the system would have more memory to give to your monitor or operating system. You sometimes get error messages saying that your system has crashed because your computer does not know what to do other than restart itself. This can save teachers and students time because when the work gets done by a high-performance PC, less time will be spent assigning lunch detention and 8th period as well as teachers being able to find more assignments for you to do.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Innovation Lab Update

By: Phil Zellers

The Innovation Lab is an evolving space.  I want to take some time to update everyone about what’s going on in that space.  First, it is home to a number of mine and Mr. Hanan’s engineering and advanced manufacturing classes.  In addition to those classes, it houses Mr. Risse’s computer science class.  It is also where my STEAM class meets.  Robotics teams and the after school LEAF group use this space as well.  So, there is a lot going on in this space and it’s an exciting place to be. 

                We have been fortunate to receive a number of new pieces of equipment added to the Innovation Lab through grants Jody and others have worked on.  We received a 3D printer last year that was designed for more experimental uses.  This year we have added a new, more advanced 3D printer.  It is a uPrint SE Plus and we are just beginning to figure out the capabilities of this machine.  Students are able to design objects on the Autodesk Inventor program and then print that product through this 3D printer.  I have learned of some new software, 123D Catch, available through Autodesk that will allow students to take pictures of an object, convert it to the right file through Inventor, and then print it on the 3D printer.  That’s amazing to me…the possibilities are endless with this machine! 

                A vinyl cutter is one of the newest additions to the Innovation Lab due to a Perkins grant Mr. Risse worked on.  This machine allows students to design graphics and create products such as decals.  It could also be used to create the graphics applied to signs and banners.  A group of students will soon be working a business model for this machine. 

                   Mr. Hanan’s advanced manufacturing class has been working on building a CNC router from a kit.  There is a robotics storage room that is full of different types of robots and pieces to build robots.  Soon, there will be some training equipment arriving that will allow students to learn some valuable advanced manufacturing skills such as programming, electrical circuits, hydraulics, and pneumatics to name a few. 

                One of the best things about this lab is that it is becoming student owned.  Students are figuring out, sometimes on their own or in teams, how to work these new pieces of equipment.  There is even a group of students working on their FedEx Day project, through Mrs. Ball’s class, to design a vision for the space and carry out some renovations.  They have some amazing ideas for the Innovation Lab.  There is so much exciting learning going on in this space and I can’t wait to see how it continues to evolve.  Anyone is welcome to come down and check the space out at any time.  I’m sure there will be a number of students eager to show you how some of the new equipment works!