On the Horizon: High Tech High School

I remember high school to be all about chalk boards, books, paper, and pencils…number 2 to be exact. But nowadays, high schools are looking a little bit different. Now when you walk in you might see monitors on the walls advertising for the upcoming pep rally before the Friday night game or what’s new in the cafeteria. Or walk into the library and its more computer lab than books. Changes that have all been made thanks, in great part, to modern technology.

With the invention of smart phones (which are just miniature computers), finding information is quick and easy. Teachers are beginning to value the technology students bring to school with them every day. Instead of getting out the big, heavy reference books, the teachers will just say, “take out your smart phone and look up ???” And the students love it.

In this week’s vlog, we step into Durant High School and see how technology is taking over as a valuable resource.
Alisa Hines

Comments

comments

On the Horizon: Shipping Out

Whether it is in a barge floating the Mississippi to the Gulf, or on a railcar tracking its way across the lower 48, the United States sends goods nationwide. But what happens to those goods once they hit our borders?

The United States has a solid reputation for producing high quality products. While our nation utilizes many of the things produced here, the vast majority of what we manufacture and grow is utilized by millions around the globe.

Oklahoma may have been one of the last territories to become a state, but it ranks high on the list of export markets. In today’s video blog, we take a look at the diverse export market that keeps Oklahoma ahead of the curve and in high demand worldwide.
Andy Barth

Comments

comments

On the Horizon: Homeschoolers Furthering Their Education

I’ve heard it said that some don’t believe home schooled children are very outgoing or very smart. But what I’ve learned is just the opposite is true. I met a couple of students who are being home schooled but are quite bright and very motivated.

One plans on double majoring in aerospace and mechanical engineering. Way over my head. The other choose to go into medicine even though she could have easily gone into engineering. Two very intelligent and also outgoing students who are going places.

In this week’s video blog, see how they are taking advantage of an opportunity to further their education through a local career and technology center.
Alisa Hines

Comments

comments

On the Horizon: Home Learnin’

I grew up as the oldest child, the oldest grandchild, and the oldest great grandchild. Needless to say, for the first three years of my life, I was surrounded by a lot of adults and grew up very quickly. I learned to speak especially early and was always a social butterfly. As I grew older, my surroundings may have changed with the additions of more little ones running around but we all were expected to be social with each other, those older than us and have manners while interacting.
When the time came for school we all went in different directions. Some went to public school, others went to private, while a few were homeschooled. As the years went on, each family changed their minds about where their children should be learning but all three sectors of education were still employed, just by different people.

In my experience, I’ve learned that it’s not where you go to school. It’s who you surround yourself with and how you choose to live your life. While I was a homeschool student, I wasn’t “in class” everyday. Sometimes I would be working with my grandfather in his auction company and taking my “business class.” Other times I would go to work with my dad in his weed control business and learn about natural resources. Each morning and evening I would spend time with my livestock project. That would entail exercising, feeding, vaccinating and managing books. While doing that I was taking, P.E., nutrition, health, and accounting. Every day was a new day for learning and while I still learned the basics that the state required me to, I was gaining valuable knowledge that I use every day.

In today’s video blog, we take a look at homeschool students from around the nation who are getting the most out of their education and their lives.
Andy Barth

Comments

comments

On the Horizon: Bully Pulpit Part 2

Over my career I have interviewed presidents, celebrities, and some of our world’s greatest thinkers. But I can tell you, none of those interviews were any more powerful than the one I had this week with Kirk Smalley.

Mr. Smalley is the father of Ty Smalley, the 11-year-old Perkins, Oklahoma boy who committed suicide in response to repeated bullyings at school. One can only imagine how devastating such a tragedy could be, but rather than retreat into the pain and remorse of his son’s death Kirk Smalley started an anti-bullying effort that is growing worldwide.

I can’t imagine a more effective spokesperson on bullying…because he is what he is… a good ole’ country boy from rural Oklahoma, who had his life turned upside down. Part 2 of his story is a tough one to watch, but one I believe every child, parent, grandparent, and teacher should.
Rob McClendon

Comments

comments

Showcasing Red Dirt culture ~ authored and managed by contributors with connections to the great state of Oklahoma.