There is an old school in my hometown that I used to attend. If I told you about, or even knew about, all of the changes that people have created in that place, I’m not sure that this essay would ever end. We would have to recount how every door handle got looser or tell the tale of each scuff mark in the hallways. We would also remember the dents in the lockers and the more memorable events like busted windows and broken sinks.
However, to limit our scope on how people have changed the school I knew so well, we should consider the recent renovation. The place was in shambles. Not only did the school house outdated chairs and desks, computers, and other equipment, it also suffered large cracks in the steps and the temperature had great problems. I remember sitting in class in the winter with my coat on. There probably was a rack to hang our winter coats, but during that season, everyone left them on. Why? Because the heating in the school was so poor. The heat did exist, however, it did not seem to get or stay very warm at all.
I assume the heat issue was because of an old furnace and because of a leaky building. The windows were old and most likely let the heat escape. There was poor insulation. So, the renovators attended to the heat, from what I hear, and have installed a new machine to warm the school. They also replaced the windows, which now keep the air in rather than letting out the heat. These changes are good changes. I suspect students no longer shiver in their desks with their winter coats on. They can relax in the warmth and attend to the lesson rather than the cold.
The administrators also decided to change the outside of the school. It had previously been a basic brick with a few stylistic details. I do not remember that well because I did not pay a lot of attention to the architecture of the school. But it was a bit plain and functional. The workers have not replaced the bricks; the building is still primary made of red bricks. However, they did add some style to the top of the school, around the border of the roof, and also replaced the outside doors. These now look more “modern,” almost space-aged instead of typical bricks and doors.
On the one hand, I am glad that these style changed occurred. It shows that the people care about how their school looks and even have some sense of art. On the other hand, I don’t know that I like the choices they made. Are they for the better? Well, the space aged type doors are not my favorite, and it makes you feel like your entering a space port or some other world. The other styles around the roof, maybe called trim, does look nice and tasteful. So some of these style renovations are for the better and some, I think, are for the worse.
As a part of the renovations, they also changed the technology of the school. So they took out the old light projector machines and chalkboards, and inserted white marker boards and up to date visual machines. The machines are probably a sort of projector that displays on the board. They also outfitted the library and labs with new computers.
I think all of these changes are for the better. Students no longer have to listen to the scratching chalk on the green board. Nor do they get their fingers all dusty when the teacher asks them to write. Instead, they can quickly mark and erase. Also, the new display technologies let the teacher show movies and internet sites quite easily. We had to either hear the teacher talk about some sort of website, or she had to display a special picture separately. Also, if we wanted to view a video, the teacher had to use the television screen. But now students can simply watch the web or a movie or photos on the new display screen. The teacher hooks up the computer, clicks, and there it appears.
Again, these changes make class life much smoother and open the students and teachers to a lot of new resources. But with the introduction of new technology, the school risks a few dangers. First, the students might get used to too much help from the computers. Instead of doing their own work or learning to write without the help of a program, they depend on the strength of technology and weaken their overall skill building experience.
Second, what if the technology breaks? With a host of new equipment, the school now risks more malfunctions. If the computer systems crash or electricity has problems, that might shut down the entire learning program for a time. So although the new renovations brought very valuable technology, that technology creates other problems and even increases the likelihood of more problems.
In all, I think the renovations have benefited the school. It looks different, but overall better even if it’s a bit strange, by showing that the people care about how their school looks. The temperature changes are certainly welcome. And those in technology bring a two-sided consequence. These greatly improve teaching and learning, but also threaten those same practices. I remember my old school well, and I remember it fondly. Any change is a bit difficult for me to accept. However, I know that these new renovations will help the current students and create new memories.
