Legal
Site
Design by 
Mike Mattinson, 12, is taking lessons in the geography of Mother Earth this
summer, thanks to what Dave Spaulding of MVA Net calls the ``endless library''
of the internet.
Mattinson, a pupil at Consentino School, was given a free computer as part of
the City Homework Computer Network, an extension of the City Homework Sports
Network run by Shaw Rosen. MVA Net provided the black and white ``Macs'' at
greatly reduced cost, paid for with a grant from Bell Atlantic. The computers
have online capability, ClarisWorks, and a variety of other programs that
Consentino students learn more about at the computer lab in school.
Mike and fellow student Robert Deaza were doing reports and homework on disks
at home and printing out neat copies of it at school.
Gaining daily hands-on experience with new technology wasn't actually the first
aim of the program, but grew out of the idea of a mentoring program between
adults and students. ``At first the goal was to give these kids mentors. Then
the idea was let's give these kids e-mail. Finally, it was let's give them
computers,'' said Spaulding.
Deaza hopes to earn a printer through the program next year so he can have a
hard copy of what his brother, Pat Tavares, and friends Abraham Santiago and
James Perry will spend the summer drawing electronically.
Students involved get to keep the computers in their homes, even during summer
vacation. The foursome gather around the Macintosh much like campers at a fire
roasting marshmallows, looking forward to finding a new chat room, or wondering
whether one of their favorite musical groups, Wu-Tang Clan, will answer their
e-mail message. ``We like getting mail and sending mail to music stars. We
especially like to talk to people from overseas,'' Deaza said.
He also enjoys the after-school homework program, which was how he initially
became a member of the computer group. When the students in the eight-family
computer crew earn good grades or special honors, they are supposed to be
rewarded with new technology like mouse pads, games, or printers. Santiago was
impressed with the incentives offered for students to perform well. ``I think
it's pretty cool how kids get computers for good grades. Then they end up
getting more stuff,'' he said.
Although the aspect of offering further equipment has been difficult to
initialize, Tina Fuller of the City Homework Networks is hopeful. ``It was kind
of slow moving this year. We're still sort of troubleshooting. Now that
school's out, we're hoping to make some home visits,'' she said.
Visiting students' homes would be for what members call ``tech support'' to
deal with occasional problems, which was done mostly over the phone this year.
Next school year the aim is to get more face-to-face contact for students like
Robert, who enjoyed that particular aspect of the Sports Homework Program. Two
training sessions were held this past school year, with a mini-camp during
February vacation.
Joanne McEnaney, grandmother of Mike Mattinson, was involved in one of the
training sessions. ``At first I was afraid, but then I did the training
program. Since I logged onto that, I have a good time. I get into everything.
There's so many people online to relate to.''
Return to the Haverhill Gazette Homepage.
Legal
Site
Design by