BY STEVE HASSEY
MHS has become a battleground between two school websites this year. Progressbook, the old and well-used grade-checker, matches up against the newly implemented Blackboard, a tool purchased over the summer. It seems as though Mariemont is making a permanent move toward Blackboard, replacing the student-favorite Progressbook.
Over the summer the high school staff has implemented the new data management system in each of their curriculums, with each class using it in some way by second semester.
The reaction to this new technology has been mixed, but some teachers are excited about the new way of doing things.
“It’s a fabulous tool for both students and teachers and organizations,” explains AP English Language teacher, Cheryl Toepfer.
She goes on to explain that it has had its glitches, but remains positive. “Whenever new technology is introduced, there are always bumps in the road.
“I prefer Blackboard, because student handouts are available in a much better way than simply linking them to Google calendar.” Toepfer seems to exemplify the viewpoint of the staff with her positive remarks.
Although the teachers look positively on the site for the most part, the student body seems to have a much less positive point of view on the new way of doing things. Sophomore Alex Vago discloses his personal opinion.
“I am Progressbook all the way!” exclaims the current MHS sophomore.
Vago loves some of the features that Progressbook has to offer.
“While on Progressbook I am able to check my progress and my assignments,” Vago says. Although the student body of MHS is more loyal to Progressbook, they still have hope for the fledgling Blackboard site.
“It could be good in the future, but right now it’s kind of a mess,” says Jonathan Hanley who shares this belief with much of the student body that the site will become more and more useful as the teachers start to learn their way around it.
The new Blackboard site may not be seen as favorable in the eyes of many students right now, but many believe that it will gradually grow on them as they learn to use it .
