By Brian Hughes ‘15, Catherine Jou ’15, Samantha Schwartz ‘16

Better late than never, MCPS is keeping up with the most recent technology modernization, and Sherwood has replaced outdated computers with brand new desktops and laptops. The school is now equipped with wireless Internet capability and specific classrooms have new technology.

Sherwood has completed part of the ongoing Technology Modernization Project which updates technological resources every four to five years. Recently, Sherwood installed over 70 access points for full building wireless internet. According to IT Systems Specialist Andrew Dodge, the cost of the project was roughly $5.6 million for MCPS. Previously, only 11 high schools had full building wireless.

“We live in a digital world and technology is moving in many different directions. Much of the new technology developments are centered around smart phones and tablet computers which heavily leverage wireless technology,” said Dodge.

Students and staff will be able to use the wireless network once the school system issues usage policies and standards. “We also need to make sure that devices that are connecting have appropriate levels of software patches, virus protection, etc. It is my understanding that [students] will sign onto the wireless network with [their] network username and password to track activity,” said Dodge.

The technology department was given two 3-D printers over the summer, a “MakerBot” model and a “Cubify” model, as part of the new “Project Lead the Way” curriculum in engineering classes. Students can create designs on the Inventor computer-aided design (CAD) software and then  the printers build those designs using a laser source that solidifies the material in the desired pattern.

The popularity of 3-D printing

has recently soared due to lower prices. “Uses of 3-D printers in real life continue to grow almost every week,” said Engineering teacher Brendan Lees. “Not only can objects be printed quickly to use when testing out ideas for designs, but biomedical engineers and doctors now use them to print out specifically designed pieces to save patients’ lives.”

Students have printed bracelets, screws with bolts, a wrench, and are now working on iPhone cases that they can actually use.

“Most importantly, these printers are getting students excited for our Project Lead the Way engineering courses and what they can design and build right in class,” said Lees.

 MCPS replaced more than 9,300 computers in over 40 schools with new desktop computers, laptops or tablets. Sherwood received 39 laptops, housed in the media center, as well as a mobile cart of laptops.  Together, the laptops replaced 50 outdated desktop computers. School-wide all obsolete desktops have been replaced.

The new hardware is equipped with software programs that improve the work of students and staff. “The new computers are clearly faster than the five year old computers that left and also smaller. Classroom computers now have the ability to show morning announcements through the LCD projector,” said Dodge, the school’s IT specialist.

Teachers and students have yet to become totally comfortable with the new technology. Students find the smaller laptop screens difficult to see. The unfamiliar mouses take more time to use.

A perk to the new laptops is accessibility. Teachers can sign out the mobile cart and use the computers in their classrooms. “I would love to start using the laptops in the classroom. It would save a lot of time because kids can just work in the classroom and not get as many distractions as they do in the media center,” said Spanish teacher Maria Peterson.