To help staff and students stay up to date on news and current events, two televisions were installed in the cafeteria and lobby. Principal Mr. Steve Mott helped the Broadcast Media staff choose to install the TVs because they understood how important it is to stay updated in the fast-paced world. This act also helps the school’s mission to create an atmosphere of awareness and engagement in addition to academic performance.
The installation of the televisions was a part of the school’s idea to improve the learning environment. To keep the school community informed and involved, a variety of news updates, current events and school announcements are displayed.
“I think it’s important to keep students informed about what’s going on around the district, also to recognize awards that might be received by students or staff and that’s why it’s so important to me. It builds a better community, as we are more informed and are able to make better decisions in becoming that better community,” Mott said.
To make sure the majority of students and staff can see the TVs, they were placed in the most accessible areas of the lobby and cafeteria. The televisions also act as discussion starters between students and staff. This allows students to stay informed, but also have a conversation while they eat instead of being on their phones, as well as before they go to class in the lobby.
“I think they’re great and informative. They let me know the weather, which is nice to not have to look it up myself. They also give people’s birthdays, which is a good conversation starter if you know that person,” Dominic Severin said.
In addition to keeping students informed about news and events, the screens will also be used to broadcast school-related announcements, such as clubs, upcoming events and important reminders. By integrating school-specific information, it allows students to relate to something, and the external news lets students stay informed about events outside the school building.
Students can be involved in choosing the content that appears on the televisions, according to the Broadcast Media staff. By encouraging students to recommend interesting subjects, news articles and current events, the goal is to empower and inspire students to have a part in the community. On the TVs, there is a QR code that allows staff and students to request news and club information to be displayed. The installation of the TVs in the lobby and cafeteria is a big step in the direction of creating a more knowledgeable and active learning environment.
The innovative way to promote awareness and involvement in the student body helps create an environment where students can remain knowledgeable. The televisions allow the community to have access to current events and news, contributing to the school’s goal of making a creative learning environment that goes beyond basic academic topics.
“I definitely think it’s helping inform everybody around the school, like recent trips, and If you can’t make a sports game so you don’t have to ask everybody, and I really think it’s helping everybody know what’s going on,” Shaye Bailey, Director of Digital Signage said.