WORTHINGTON -- There's a steady hum in the computer lab at Worthington Christian School now, but once the school year begins in just another week, the steady hum will turn into a constant clicking of the keyboard.
When students start class at Worthington Christian, they will enjoy the convenience and accessibility of the school's new computer lab. The lab, previously located adjacent to the gymnasium on the opposite end of the building, has been moved into the media center, in the same area where classrooms are located.
Moving the computer lab made it possible for Hi-Ho Nursery School to relocate to the school and utilize the former computer room.
Cindy Vogel, Worthington Christian School principal, said she likes the computer lab's new location.
"It is closer to the classrooms and more accessible to students and staff," she said. In the past, if a student needed to work on a computer outside of classtime, supervision always proved a concern. Now, Vogel said it will be a lot easier to allow a student into the computer lab, knowing there are teachers just across or down the hall.
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The new computer lab was completed this week and is complete with new electrical and network wiring. The lab includes 16 computers, all hooked into a network for Internet accessibility. Vogel said they now have enough computers to allow each student to have access. The school, which offers classes from kindergarten through eighth grade, has 16 students in its largest class.
Several computers were upgraded during the summer, thanks to money raised by the school's Promoters parents club. The group conducted a hostess supper last April to help raise the funds necessary to improve the computers.
"Technology is almost outdated as soon as you get it installed," said Vogel. "It's important for a small school to keep computers accessible for all students."
A computer class is offered to students in first through eighth grade, with instruction focusing on keyboarding, word processing and Internet research skills. Teachers also instruct students on Internet safety, and offer programs in both math and vocabulary on the computers.
Vogel said the Christian school has as its mission to prepare students for service to God. Offering them computer skills prepares students for future service, she added.
"Computer use has become a huge part of life," she said. "We try to teach students what is the right way to use technology so it can be used in their communities."
