Viewer Issue 1

What’s Inside

Moodle Maddness

Editorials 2

New Staff

Features 5

Classroom Tech.

Spread 6-7

Cross Country Trip

Sports 10

VIEWER Mounds View

Volume 60

Broken Sprinkler

Online

2012-2013

http://mvviewer.org Friday, September 21, 2012

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No ‘maybe’ about it

illustration by Sophie Gorham

Teachers will be calling home more often

by Maximillian Wang editor-in-chief Mounds View High School will no longer have the traditional, mid-semester conferences. Instead, teachers will have “communication hours” set aside every week, an hour a week, during which time they are to communicate with parents about their student’s performance. Similar communication hours are being introduced in every school in the the district as part of a new, district-wide communication policy that will be rolled out over the coming years.

The plan also stipulates that teachers should reach out to the lowest 15% of students in every class, most likely through calls home (for example, in a class of 30 students, four or five students would get calls home to parents). Principal Jeff Erickson has said that the 15% is not hard-and-fast rule, but more of a general guideline.

“I would leave it more broad. We are targeting the

students that are struggling--or, to be honest, we are also going to target kids who are doing great work and acknowledge that and give that update. But the thrust is--with all the focus on making sure kids are getting it [the course materials], we need to give better data on a more timely fashion, a more timely manner,” said Erickson.

Teachers have varied opinions on the switch from conferences to communication hours.

Ross Fleming, health and physical education teacher, said, “I liked conferences, personally. I liked the face-to-face meetings. Conferences always went fast for me, I personally enjoyed them. I had fun, and they seemed valuable in terms of both parents putting a face to their teachers and teachers putting a face to the parents. It built accountability.”

Nevertheless, Fleming agreed that the limited time teachers and parents had was a major flaw to the system.

“I realize there was value, but only so much

could be accomplished in so much time we had,” said Fleming.

Students generally believe that ending conferences is a move in the right direction.

“Naturally I am worried about the long weekends we normally get that come with conferences, but other than that, I think it is a great idea,” said Adam Kessler, 12.

The 15% rule for calls home was more contentious among students.

“I don’t know if teachers should be forced to call parents,” said Kessler, 12.

Summer Brills, 11, disagreed. “I think it’s a good idea--then parents are more aware of their children’s grades. It lets parents know how their kids are doing,” said Brills.

Communication hours can be found on teachers’ websites at http://www2.moundsviewschools.org/ moundsview/index.asp?ID=924.

The ‘g’ in group projects Students receive district gmail accounts

by Peter Olson news editior

This year, students in the Mounds View School District will be receiving new student emails via Google Apps for Education, replacing the district’s old email provider, Groupwise. These Google accounts will be used for Moodle-based courses.

The idea for using the Google system originated from a proposition by Google to provide free service for school districts.

“Almost two years ago, the district began exploring Google’s offer of providing Google Apps for Education accounts to school districts free of charge,” said Director of Technology Karl Brown.

After a successful test run, the emails were implemented district-wide. However, not every student has full access to the account’s features.

High school students can use their emails for internal (within district emails) and external (outside the district) emails, but students in middle school only have internal use. Email’s functionality is disabled for elementary school students.

With a Google account, students will be able to access Google Drive, a cloud system where users

have the ability to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, and share them with other Google users. Google Drive can be used by students who are too busy to meet up and work on an assignment face-to-face. Also, teachers can use the email to send messages about upcoming events.

An additional benefit is that, according to Brown, it is unlikely that Google servers will crash, and if they do, they should be easy to repair.

To inform parents of the new change, the school has sent out waivers for both students and parents to sign, acknowledging the terms of using the Gmail.

Not signing the waiver could result in loss of access to particular courses, like hybrids.

However, the staff is willing to work with students that don’t sign the waiver.

“If a student refuses to take a district account, we will have to work with the student and teacher to see if there are other ways for the student to take the course,” said Principal Jeff Erickson.

Students have mixed feelings towards the implementation of the new emails. Some believe that having one more email (with their countless others) is a little excessive. Others stated that they wouldn’t use their new accounts.

“I don’t think it’s necessary. Adding a new email would just complicate things,” said Linnea Savereide, 11.

Some students see the potential benefits of these accounts, acknowledging the capability to collaborate on projects with others.

“I’m fine with it [the new Google accounts] because you can use it for working on projects, ”said Eric Diaz, 12.

2013OLSOP19@gmail.com

Student ID Number

Your n ew distric t Gmail!

2editorials op T 10

September 21, 2012

21st Century Breakdown

Dumb Supervillian Mistakes

10 8

Imprisoning Aquaman in an aquarium

Recruiting henchmen through Craigslist

Building Doomsday Devices out of cardboard

Leaving clues behind

6

Not taking out insurance on your evil lair

4

Tweeting about your plans

Kidnapping Liam Neeson’s family

Pausing before killing to gloat

2

Choosing Robbie He as your sidekick Messing with journalists

9

7 5 3 1

2012-2013 Viewer Editors Editor-in-Chief Managing Editors -Online/Design

-Copy Chief

Business Manager News Editorials Features Spread Variety Reviews Sports Gallery

Max Wang

Megan Ruan Akshay Patke Tristan Achittino

Mounds View needs to revamp its use of technology Moodle crashed on the first two nights of school. The school’s wireless internet was disrupted on the third day.

SMART Boards, as expected, froze up and stalled classes.

These and other problems with the district’s technology point to the need for a more pragmatic approach to technology in education.

Doubtless, using technology can increase student participation in class and streamline classroom activities if used correctly, but all too often, technology seems to be poorly implemented at Mounds View High School.

The Mounds View School District has rolled out many new ideas for technology in the past few years. On the Internet, the district added Moodle as an online classroom and Naviance as an online student service center. In classrooms, whiteboards were replaced with SMART Boards, and some pilot classrooms used iPads for teaching.

Naviance is, at its best, unintuitive and cumbersome.

Many of last year’s seniors found that simply requesting a transcript for college on Naviance was like a catand-mouse hunt, requiring students to click through a maze of tabs and links before finally arriving at the right webpage. Requesting teacher recommendations on Naviance

seems to be as much a problem this year. Naviance’s services are also largely unused--few students plan out their future colleges or use the study guides on the site to study for the ACTs. The Moodle server, as was noted earlier, was spotty the first and second week of school. In the district’s defense, that matter was out of

“A

teachers to draw graphs and explain mathematical concepts visually with ease. However, SMART Boards only benefit specific types of classes and add little new functionality to the classroom--you could write on a white board and display videos on a projector--not to mention to occasional freezeups.

ll too often, technology seems to be poorly implemented at Mounds View.

”

their hands--TIES, a separate entity, manages the Mounds View Moodle server. Still, there are other education sites like Schoology and Blackboard which are more dependable and more intuitive to use, and would cost the district less.

SMART Boards may be a bright spot in technology use in schools, depending who you ask. They add interactivity to the classroom, and allow teachers to save their notes to post online later. In math classes, SMART Boards allow

There are a few pluses.

The introduction of hybrid courses in the district has allowed for much greater flexibility in students’ schedules, and has employed Moodle to a much greater extent. It has also opened up many course options that weren’t offered in previous years, such as AP Spanish and AP Microeconomics.

The new Google App accounts may also be a handy way to communicate, though getting students to use their accounts will be a challenge.

Many students already have Google accounts--it is the dominant email of the younger generation--but by linking them to classes, teachers no longer have to struggle to find ways to communicate with their students.

Technology is best used when it expands our horizons, takes students outside of the classroom to explore areas that they haven’t before.

Rolling dice on a SMART Board doesn’t do that. Hearing a lecture from a worldrenowned researcher, or analyzing a speech given by prominent politicians of our day, are much better use of the technology that we have.

The district needs to rethink the goals it has for technology use in classes--because what they’re doing now isn’t working.

Staff Editorial

17 Viewer Editors Agree,

Peter Olson

0 Disagree

David Gonzalez-Dysinger Allison Hare Mali Bacig Cammie Kelly John Knopf Sasha Safonov Selin Kurtoglu Matt Voges David Liu Adam Toninato

Youngjun Park Photographers/Artists Joy Xie, Ben Kaiser, Anders Nygaard, Tim Appolloni,Sophie Gorham Adviser

Martha Rush

Staff

Samantha Baschky, Josephine Bergmann, Nina Bertelsen, James Birr, Nolan Carlson-Stevermer, Alec Edgett, Kobi Endrizzi, Namrata Gadela, Molly Hancuh, John Hingos, Jospeh Janey, Phoebe Ke, Monica Kemp, Jonathan Kim, Mitchell LeMay, Kyoka Millard, Matthew Montgomery, Angela Nan, Rebecca Nara, Ntonobari Ollor, Kyler Roberts, Madeline Rosenow, Neha Sethi, Mark Sheldon, Thomas Sletten, Alistair Tang, Nicole Wahlin, Ryan Yoch

The Viewer is published by the student editors at: Mounds View High School 1900 Lake Valentine Rd Arden Hills, Minnesota Sauk Centre Publishing

cartoon by Sophie Gorham

Viewer Mission Statement 1. To publish news, information and opinion articles for and about student, faculty and administration activities, interests and policies.

2. To maintain high ethical standards with regard to fairness, personal and legal rights, responsibilities and accuracy.

3. To provide a forum for free and responsible expression of student opinion and present well-balanced, locally researched coverage of issues of broader student interest.

4. To strive for a high level of competency in the technical aspect of writing, including grammar, spelling, clarity, and precision.

5. To welcome diversity and increase the scope and depth of our coverage in order to heighten mutual understanding and awareness throughout our entire school community.

Articles and letters to the editor appearing on the editorials pages represent solely the opinions of the writers and do not represent in any way the viewpoint of Viewer, our advertisers, Mounds View High School or its staff.

The editors of the Viewer welcome and encourage the publication of all viewpoints.

September 21, 2012

3 editorials

Secularism is not a dirty word

Help prevent suicide

The separation of church and state should be a given in today’s society

by Deputy Rzeszutek guest writer

by David Gonzalez-Dysinger editorials editor

The tragedy of a young person dying because of overwhelming hopelessness or frustration is devastating to that individual’s family and community. Parents, siblings, classmates, coaches, and neighbors will be left wondering if they could have done something to prevent that person from taking his or life.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds. There are several warning signs to look for those who may be considering suicide, like frequent talk of death, engaging in risky behavior, giving away possessions, or a loss of interest in sports and activities.

If you notice these signs in someone, there are several things you should do, including showing that person interest, asking if he or she is thinking about suicide, and being willing to listen. Do not be judgemental, debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or lecture that person.

If you are concerned that someone may be thinking of suicide, tell someone you trust like a dean, teacher, parent, or school resource officer.

Not telling someone could cost your friend their life.

Politics is chock-full of underhanded tactics and cheap ploys to gain votes. Out of all of them, perhaps the most shameful is the appeal to religious bigotry that occurs whenever politicians resort to attacking the personal beliefs of others. When being pious is seen as a necessary thing to be patriotic, the separation of church and state is threatened.

This disgraceful behavior was most recently demonstrated when rightwing politicians and pundits attacked the Democratic platform for not including the word “God”. Conservative commentator Pat Buchanan wrote an editorial bemoaning how “A godless party expels its Creator,” and Mitt Romney used the absence of religious references as a chance to imply that President Obama and the Democratic Party was threatening to “take God off our coins.”

Although the outcry eventually resulted in the Democratic National

Convention adding the word to its platform, the controversy is far from over. While conservatives are quick to label liberals as “godless”, like Ann Coulter in her book entitled thusly, left-leaning politicians have pushed their fair share of bigoted messages as well.

The offensive rhetoric against Romney’s Mormon faith from both sides of the aisle should be appalling to anyone.

These displays of prejudice are especially sad because our nation is based on the separation between church and state. The Founding Fathers established that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” in the First Amendment, and Thomas Jefferson spoke in favor of “a wall of separation” between religion and government.

“Under God” was only put in the Pledge of Allegiance, and “In God we trust” was only adopted as the national motto, as measures to fight Communist influence during the ‘50s. In fact, many of the same religious groups that now rail against

the separation of church and state as the scepter of Satanic secular humanism were some of its biggest supporters when the United States was established, back when these same groups were oppressed minorities.

The issue is not whether religion has no place in politics, or whether people have a right to express their religious views in a public forum. Religion has played a vital role in such political movements as abolitionism and civil rights, and people should be allowed to profess their faith publicly as they see fit.

The question is why religion needs to be promoted by the government. Are people of faith so insecure about their own beliefs that they need government to constantly reassure them by writing God on everything? If religious ideals are really as manifestly true and sensible as believers claim they are, then shouldn’t secularism give them a balanced playing field to

prove just that?

Secularism is not the same thing as anti-theism, or even atheism. The Founding Fathers were all religious men, and many early advocates of separation of church and state were religious leaders. Secularism is merely the belief that government should not actively promote any religious belief.

Rather than being an assault on the faith of Americans, secularism should be viewed as a safeguard to protect against institutionalized religious bigotry and theocracy. Keep religion out of government, and government out of religion, for the good of both.

image courtesy of hcpress.com

An apple a day may get thrown away

by Allison Hare editorials editor This year, students may notice something a little different about the way they can get their favorite foods at Mounds View.

Under Michelle Obama’s new childhood obesity initiative, Let’s Move, the U.S. Department of Agriculture now requires all high schools in the U.S. to ensure students get at least one fruit or vegetable with every meal in an act entitled the “Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.” Additionally, certain components of meals at Mounds View have been altered in order to meet a healthier lunch standard for students; for example, many fruits and vegetables are now locally grown, and the bread choice for every lunch has been removed.

Editor opinions What your Viewer editors think of various issues.

While this is certainly a noble effort to get students to consume more beneficial meals, the new policy does not account for the fact that students cannot be forced to eat in a certain way. If a student wants to eat pizza or a burger, there is nothing preventing them from getting their junk food fix through the à la carte line, which is not governed by the new regulations. Also, students can simply throw away their fruits or vegetables.

“We see the reason why [the regulations were enacted], but it’s more of a choice people have to make by themselves,” one senior said. “It’s a good model for students, but just because you take [a fruit or vegetable] doesn’t mean you have to eat it.”

Additionally, the new “Manga is the most underrated form of literature.”

- Akshay Patke managing editor

standards won’t always be able to satisfy students’ cravings for lunch choices like carbs or dessert—in fact, it could make them buy additional unhealthy treats just to appease their appetite. Any nutritional benefits brought to students by the new regulations are canceled out for those who choose to take their lunch trays to the à la carte line with its nonexistent vegetable quotas and expensive, single-serving junk food.

The new USDA policy is not all bad, however; it’s important to remember that obesity is a real problem facing America, and this policy is a positive step towards healthier living.

Although the benefits to these regulations may seem inconsequential, every change in an individual’s diet can add up to considerably improved “Language classes should have gateways. That way, students could review old tenses, and the teacher would focus more on new things. Plus, free points.”

- Peter Olson news editor

health.

Perhaps there is a better option for integrating more healthy foods into students’ diets. Instead of forcing students to take vegetables they may end up tossing later, the new policy could require the veggies to be incorporated less noticeably—minced into spaghetti sauce or chopped into a pasta salad, for example—into meals students enjoy eating.

Ultimately, however, there is no dependable way to control what students want to eat, do not want to eat, or even how much they eat. The lunches students choose in the cafeteria should be left up to them, not unreasonable government-initiated policies that, however well-intentioned, could waste food and cause some students to switch to even unhealthier meals.

“Hornets and wasps are useless insects. They were put on this earth to inflict pain.”

-Mali Bacig features editor

Deputy William Rzeszutek 651-621-7123 William.Rzeszutek@ moundsviewschools.org

Cop’s

C

or er n

“Hornets and wasps are the bee’s knees.”

- John Knopf spread editor

4features

September 21, 2012

The Green Knight New Principal Jeff Erickson sets goal to connect with students

by Camry Kelly features editor The principal’s office has a large, dark-finished, L-shaped desk with a computer at the corner. To the side is a round table with four chairs for meetings. This small room is supposed to be the room of intimidation, where troublemakers meet their punishments, where parents go to learn about misdeeds in class.

But the new face behind that desk this year--Jeff Erickson, recently of Minnetonka--doesn’t fit the stereotypes Hollywood has given us. His goal, he says, is to connect with the students, not punish them.

“I want the students to know who I am, and I want to know who they are,” said Erickson.

Erickson has been in the Mounds View district much of his life, but he wasn’t granted the opportunity to attend Mounds View. He attended Valentine Hills through fifth grade, then moved to Bel Air for sixth grade and Highview for junior high. Erickson then proceeded to go against what us ‘stangs believe in--he graduated from Irondale...

“My brother and sister graduated from Mounds View High School in the mid-’80s, but the boundaries changed and I went to Irondale. So… we had split loyalties in the family,” he said.

“I do remember some intense basketball games at MVHS as student. In student council, we spent time together learning from each other. I feel lucky to have been a Knight and now a Mustang,” said Erickson.

Erickson wasn’t just a Knight

who attended a few basketball games--he was very involved at Irondale. His senior year he ran against two fellow students to be student council president.

“I got involved with student council to help improve the climate in the building and build relations with between students and the administration. We worked to restore more activities/clubs for students in the building. It was in student council where I became passionate in leadership,” said Erickson.

On top of being active in student council, one of his favorite high school memories came from jazz band.

“I played the saxophone. Band was one of my favorite classes. My favorite memories was going to Disney World with the band,” said Erickson.

After graduation, he moved on to get his bachelor degree from Gustavus and earned his master’s degree at University of St. Thomas and St. Mary’s University. He taught Spanish for 14 years and was assistant principal at Minnetonka High School for five years after that.

“I enjoyed Spanish in school and had traveled to Spain. Teaching Spanish gave me a chance to work with students and watch them become excited about learning Spanish it was best of both worlds,” he said. “I had served in a variety of leadership roles--department chair, district leader and I wanted to impact more than the students in my classroom. The assistant principal (AP) position allowed me to impact more students at Minnetonka.”

When the position at Mounds View opened up in February 2012, Erickson was ready to move on

from his AP job. After a lengthy application process, Erickson had two interviews with different interview committees. Two days after those interviews, he met with students on campus and staff had the opportunity to meet him.

He proceeded to meet with the superintendent to ensure he was a good fit for the district.

Within the first week, Erickson had already noted exceptional things about Mounds View.

“I was amazed by how respectful students were. They were so welcoming to everyone. I really liked when kids would come up to me and introduce themselves.

The students were studying and working hard right away,” said Erickson.

Students aren’t the only ones with a busy year ahead--Erickson’s days are jam-packed with everything from meetings to being in the classroom.

“Everyday is different, that’s what makes this job so exciting. I try to be in the hall before school and I have started observing in classrooms. I try to set aside an hour a day just to be in the classrooms,” said Erickson.

However, Erickson is more than just a principal, he is a father and husband, too.

“My wife Alana and I have two daughters, third grader Emilia and kindergartener Evelyn. I also have a two and half year old son. I would relive the days in which my three children were born. Those were incredible moments,” said Erickson.

Erickson’s room might fit the stereotypical principal guidelines, but the man who inhabits it does not.

photo courtesy ofAnders Nygaard

Me e t the Newbies

by Malia Bacig and Megan Ruan features editor and managing editor

Mark Nelson was a dean at Highview Middle School before coming to Mounds View.

One reason he moved was to work with students in a different age range.

“I thought it would be a nice change to work with students who were planning for their futures. I thought it would be an energizing challenge,” said Nelson.

Nelson has indeed made a connection with students and staff.

“My favorite part of Mounds View so far has been having conversations with students about their plans after high school,” said Nelson.

Aside from his current job, Nelson enjoys playing golf and spending time with his fouryear-old daughter. He attended Northfield High School and went to college in the same town, at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Nelson majored in psychology, which he says would have been his Plan B if he wasn’t working with students.

His claim to fame is that he can do an uncanny impression of people—especially with foreign accents! “I can do a really good Scottish accent,” said Nelson.

Ryan Poepard came to MV to meet new students

Mark Nelson is interested in student’s post secondary plans

When Ryan Poepard started his job this summer, he knew he’d have to change his favorite color from orange to green. Previously a student counselor at White Bear High School for 11 years, he is excited to be a dean at Mounds View for a new group of students.

Poepard already shares a connection with the Mounds View school district--his wife teaches at Island Lake Elementary, where his children also attend. Poepard has not been shy about getting involved in Mounds View’s events. He has attended football games and is thrilled to revive Mustang Cup. He spends a portion of his time helping to coach MV football. Also, he became a co-adviser to the Mustang Mentor program.

Peopad was drawn to Mounds View by the chance to get to know new students. “I’m loving it! The students are very welcoming and have lots of fun,” he said.

Poepard attended Forest Lake High School and earned degrees at Valparaiso, Purdue, and St. Mary’s. If he was not working as a dean, he would have liked to become a sports psychologist. He especially distinguishes himself for having a humorous personality and being an all-star Nintendo 64 Mario Kart player.

September 21, 2012

New Stangs If you’ve seen a lot of faces you don’t recognize, there’s a reason. We have an incredible number of new teachers at Mounds View this year. 14, to be exact.

To help students get to know these new faces, and to welcome the teachers to our school, we asked each teacher where they attended college for their bachelor’s degree and if they weren’t teaching, what their plan B would be. information compiled by Malia Bacig and Tristan Aschittino

Ingrid Narum

University: St. Olaf Plan B: Teach English in France

University: Crown College Plan B: Medical doctor

University: St. Cloud State Plan B: Dog rescuer

University: St. Thomas Plan B: Something in horticulture

University: Drake Plan B: Renting surf board on the beach

Sarah Sobas

Amanda Zagaros

Steven Schultz

Nate Hix

Alex Hinseth

University: Bethel Plan B: Work for an ad agency

University: St. Cloud State Plan B: Photographer

Shannon Belland University: Arizona State Plan B: Country singer

Theresa Anderson University: Bethel Plan B: Corporate Marketing

University: Coventry Plan B: Writing for a literature journal

University: Kent State Plan B: Be in a play

University: St. Olaf Plan B: Professional traveler

University: Luther College Plan B: Comic book artist

Ashley Walter

Hope Sweeny

Eva Nelson

Nic Seeley

Laura Welch

5 features

Dana Kappes

University: North Dakota Plan B: Animal science photos by Anders Nygaard and Ben Kaiser

A whole new school Mounds View 1969

Mounds View 2012

“The next a new ag excitin one ti Mey

What do you think Mounds View will be like in 20 years?

Times up, put down your cell phones: Advances in classroom technology

by David Gonzalez-Dysinger editorials editor The times, they are a-changin’. The traditional pencil-and-paper, textbook-centered classroom of the past is declining in favor of technological integration.

Mobile phones, SMART Boards, laptops, video games, and other digital options will all become key parts of the educational experience at Mounds View within the next decade.

Many teachers at Mounds View have already integrated technology into their classrooms. Social Studies Teacher Michael Kauls lets students use their phones to text their responses to quizzes onto the SMART Board. According to Kauls, technology integration helps engage more of his students on a deeper level.

“Sometimes kids don’t feel comfortable contributing in a [traditional] classroom setting.”

One current trend is the use of students’ personal devices such as smartphones and tablets for teaching purposes.

“Over the next five to ten years, student-owned personal devices will become mainstream, especially as the prices for the devices continue to drop,” said Karl Brown, Mounds View district technology director.

Last year, the school technology policy was changed to allow students to use personal electronic devices in class as long as they are used for educational purposes. This could open the floodgates to many new uses for technology in the classroom.

Even social media may become a powerful learning tool. Social Studies teacher Justin Benolkin asks his students to keep personal blogs as they go through the material.

“It’s helping students become more reflective learners,” said Benolkin.

Kauls has pushed for the school to allow him to use Twitter as a teaching tool both to model the spread of trends and to network with students and other educators. Although the district doesn’t feel safe using Twitter at the classroom level yet, education in general is moving towards more incorporation of social media.

However, not all students own personal electronics. Even those that do have found it difficult

“I think Mounds View will be all online classes and hover crafts,” Robert He, 12

to find apps and programs that are compatible across all systems and devices. In the future, this may be remedied by having classroom sets of electronic devices. Last year’s freshman class at Minnetonka High School was issued iPads by the school, and other schools throughout Minnesota are doing the same. The iPads brought visibly higher grades among students, with one class had 54 percent of those using iPads receive B’s, rather than the 32 percent in the traditional version of the class, according to the Star Tribune.

At Mounds View, Benolkin is pioneering the use of classroom sets of handheld electronics, using a classroom set of iPods. Students take quizzes and do readings on the iPods, which Benolkin acquired through 21st Century Skills, a district initiative to get students using workplace skills in the classroom. If this use of iPods yields good results, the school will buy more of the devices and expand their usage.

Another innovation in the field of classroom technology integration is the use of computer games to teach and reinforce concepts. Students who participate in activities like JA Titan (a business simulation software that pits you against other players) have already experienced this in action, but the next step will be bringing it into the classroom.

A recent report by the National Research Council found evidence that science games were a good aid to learning. Computer games have already been used by the likes of NASA and The Sloan School of Management at MIT, and have had uses ranging from studying to become a lawyer to leaving the surface of Earth as an astronaut. Given the popularity of video gaming among kids and teens, this is a facet of technology integration that will surely see vast growth.

Education and technology are two fields that are constantly in flux. A decade ago, Wikipedia was barely in its infancy, Smartphone was synonymous with Blackberry, and no one would have imagined that hybrid classes would become as widespread as they have. For better or worse, the days of the white chalk and blackboard are over.

“I think that techn will play a major education, as oppo its current role, as to traditional teac methods,” Furqan

Flipped Cl

A new concept that has begun at Mounds View is the “flipped cl the name suggests, a flipped class the typical teaching model; instea the teacher lecture in class, studen lectures at home, then teachers dir activities and answer questions in Michael Huberty and Dan Bu teachers, experimented with the fl model in their Calculus 1 classes l and Butler chose online videos fro like Brightstorm and Khan Acade lectures, and if there were no vide sufficient quality, they made their Students watched them at hom problems in class. To accommoda couldn’t view the lectures at home laptop cart available to watch vide “If you got the concepts you through the videos at home, and w was enjoyable and productive. If y the concepts you could pause [and Jack Wang, 11, “when you get to s your minds to converge into one w together. Other students enjoyed t well.

“I like doing the homework in getting the lecture at home,” said

Trends in teaching

by David Gonzalez-Dysinger editorials editor

t twenty years will usher in ge of education, filled with ng online aspects and one-onime with teachers,” Carolyn yer and Juliet Laske, 12

nology role in osed to s an aid ching n Syed, 9

No more textbooks

Another trend in education is motivated by economic concerns. The high cost of textbooks is leading some teachers to consider not using textbooks at all, and an overall decline in the number of hard copy textbooks is predicted.

French teacher Heather Guyer has already adopted this system. “[We did it because] there is no specific textbook for AP French.” So far, this approach has gone well for the French class. “We have lots of other resources, which allows us to learn about a variety of topics and not be restrained by the textbook.”

n class and Jan Waszczuk,

40

24

Yes

Hybrid Classes Independence in learning is a growing trend in education.

Extracurricular online classes are growing in popularity, and some colleges like MIT post free lectures online for anyone to watch.

Hybrid classes are one way of reconciling classroom teaching with independent study. These classes typically meet before or after school once to twice a week, and the rest of the study is done by students on their own. Online readings, assignments, and resources are used to give students direction.

“Hybrid classes allow students to work more at their own pace,” said Betty Lotterman, Spanish teacher. “If they finish something early, they don’t have to wait for classmates to catch up.

If they need to repeat things in order to understand it, they can do that without worrying that other students have already finished and are waiting for them.”

The hybrid format drastically changes the rigid schedule of the student.

“The motion towards hybrid classes would cause the school campus to be a more open school. That would work out better. People would get more sleep,” said Dan Butler, Calculus teacher. As a result, students can get more of a college experience in high school.

“It’s more like the college experience wherein you are not going to class everyday,” said Jimmy Oljavo, 2011 Mounds View graduate and student at Cornell University.

Students love hybrid classes because they allow for more flexibility and time management.

“I think that hybrid classes are beneficial for students who want more variety,” said Josh Yue, 11 “I can have more time to go deeper if I find something that interests me.” said Nguyen Le, 12.

Although hybrid classes have existed at Mounds View for a while, they are experiencing a great increase in popularity, and and seem likely to grow even more over the next few years.

Do you plan to take a hybrid course?

49 36

Yes

lassrooms

n to take hold lassroom.” As sroom inverts ad of having nts watch video rect classroom n class. utler, math flipped classroom last year. Huberty om websites emy to serve as eos that were of r own. me, and then did ate students who e, there was a eos in class. could breeze work time in class you didn’t get d] rewind,” said school, you get while you work the format as

Do you miss your textbook?

Some teachers, like Kauls, have turned to having students use the online textbook more.

Others plan on not using a single textbook at all, but rather by collecting material from various sources.

Huberty plans to ultimately replace the textbook with sets consisting of the best problems from various textbooks, and a few written by himself and Butler. This will probably take several years, however.

“It’s a long process to change these things. Just a massive amount of work,” said Huberty.

12.

However, the flipped classroom isn’t always the best choice for every teacher. Many incorporate a strong back and forth component with students into their lectures, and this would be lost if the lectures were recorded.

“I like the lectures with my students,” said Gretchen Nesset, English teacher.

In addition, long periods of work can sometimes get distracting. “People can get off task,” said Wang.

The flipped class was only employed during the first semester last year for Calculus 1, the reason being that there wasn’t enough videos.

“We didn’t have video lectures for everything,” said Huberty, “It is easier to lecture than to make a video.” This year, Calculus 1 is having more flipped class incorporated into it, as is precalculus.

The flipped classes concept is even going beyond mathematics. “I’m teaching flipped human geography and Mr. Kauls is working on developing flipped AP Human Geography and at Irondale they are teaching flipped Human Geography,” said Justin Benolkin, social studies teacher.

No matter what the subject is, it looks like flipped classes will be an option in the future.

Do you prefer a flipped class?

44

11

Yes

No

No

No

variety 8Celebrate back to school, old-school September 21, 2012

Read seven at Sven’s

by Selin Kurtoglu variety editor

photo by Selin Kurtoglu

Uncle Sven’s Comic Shoppe: 1838 Saint Clair Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55105

On the 11th of this month, Uncle Sven’s Comic and Game Shoppe celebrated its 30th anniversary as a safe haven for comic nerds and Magic geeks alike.

Uncle Sven’s is now owned by Source, a far larger, more complete comic and game shop in Roseville. Upon entering the store, located on St. Clair Avenue in St. Paul, you realize that it is really, really little. Only one-third the size of Source, Uncle Sven’s is tight, but they do well with the space they have. On the right wall there are single-comics, ranging from kid-friendly (on the bottom shelf, of course) to adult content. On the left, there are ‘trails’ of comics, which are hardcover collections of usually six or seven sequen-

tial issues.

Located on the left wall are role-playing and fantasy games. Uncle Sven’s has a medium-sized collection of board games and a shelf full of card games and trading cards: Magic card box sets, Pokémon sets, even Fantastic Four cards.

The atmosphere inside Uncle Sven’s is far more pleasant and accepting than a comic n00b may assume. While talking with one of the long-time staff members, he mentioned that neighborhood kids, around age 10 to 12, frequent the establishment with their parents. The staff is happy to answer any questions regarding a comic or game. At only 270 square feet, compared to Source’s 10,000, what Uncle Sven’s loses in floor space, it makes up for in atmosphere, helpful staff, and a lot of heart.

They take rusty quarters

by Selin Kurtoglu variety editor Think you’re good at Tetris?

You know, using the arrow keys to move and the spacebar to rotate?

Well, why not try your hand at an original, arcade-version of Tetris?

To be more specific, why not try the real Tetris at the only stand-alone arcade left in the Twin Cities?

Rusty Quarters retro arcade and museum in Minneapolis is your destination for a truly ‘retro’ arcade, complete with glass-bottled CocaCola and 1980s-era candy.

On a lazy Sunday afternoon, there were no fewer than five people in the tiny arcade at a time.

Not packed, but busy enough to not be creepily deserted. Spending under $10 a visit is expected, because

the games are so retro-cheap. Most of the games cost between 25 and 50 cents, with the pinball machines costing a whopping 75 cents, making the vintage feel so much more realistic.

Rusty Quarter’s most played games are Ms. Pac-Man, Mario Bros, Frogger, and Tetris. Their most prized game is a rare version of Tron, in its original cabaret cabinet.

In all, Rusty Quarters houses 26 arcade games and three pinball tables. Although not a big place by any stretch, what they do have fosters an atmosphere of an old-school arcade. The noises from each game, along with the players, makes many passersby stop and poke their nose into an ‘80s-themed world.

photo courtesy of www.rqarcade.com

Rusty Quarters: 818 West Lake Street Minneapolis, MN 55408

Have dinner at

by Selin Kurtoglu variety editor Ever feel like going back to the 1940s, but your time machine is broken and you don’t want to deal with WWII? Fear not, fellow lovers of burgers and shakes: Mickey’s Diner is here to serve you (all night long).

Mickey’s Diner was, at one point, an actual diner car, hooked up to a train. In 1939, it was purchased and set down right in the middle of St. Paul.

Diners can quickly tell by the close quarters that this was at one time a railroad car; if you choose a place at the bar, you will have a good view behind the counter where the three employphoto by Selin Kurtoglu ees desperately try to squeeze past each other Mickey’s Diner : 36 West 7th Street Saint Paul, MN 55102 to get to the skillet, the cash register, or to take someone’s order.

Customers shouldn’t expect much different.

At the bar -- where you’ll most likely sit because there are only four two-person booths -- it’s inevitable that you’ll bump elbows with your dining neighbor making for a close and friendly atmosphere.

The fry cook also adds in his own personality; grilling right behind the counter, he carries on conversations with customers while making their burgers. He’s a great conversationalist, asking about their night’s plans and cracking jokes so that the left side of the diner, where he works, is frequently exploding with laughter.

On the menu, Mickey’s has a picture of what photo by Selin Kurtoglu opening day looked like. Nothing has changed from that 1939 snapshot. If you ever feel like go- Candyland candy store: 435 Wabasha Street North, ing back to the 1940s, you can just go to Mickey’s Saint Paul, MN 55102 Diner instead.

Candyland, it’s not just a board game!

by Selin Kurtoglu variety editor On the 11th of this month, Uncle Sven’s Comic and Game Shoppe celebrated its 30th anniversary as a safe haven for comic nerds and Magic geeks alike.

Uncle Sven’s is now owned by Source, a far larger, more complete comic and game shop in Roseville. Upon entering the store, located on St. Clair Avenue in St. Paul, you realize that it is really, really little. Only one-third the size of Source, Uncle Sven’s is tight, but they do well with the space they have. On the right wall there are single-comics, ranging from kid-friendly (on the bottom shelf, of course) to adult content. On the left, there are ‘trails’ of comics, which are hardcover collections of usually six or seven sequential issues.

Located on the left wall are role-playing and fantasy games. Uncle Sven’s has a medium-sized collection of board games and a shelf full of card games and trading cards: Magic card box sets, Pokémon sets, even Fantastic Four cards.

The atmosphere inside Uncle Sven’s is far more pleasant and accepting than a comic n00b may assume. While talking with one of the long-time staff members, he mentioned that neighborhood kids, around age 10 to 12, frequent the establishment with their parents. The staff is happy to answer any questions regarding a comic or game. At only 270 square feet, compared to Source’s 10,000, what Uncle Sven’s loses in floor space, it makes up for in atmosphere, helpful staff, and a lot of

EditorSingles

Linkin Park - “Until It Breaks” Although the song “Burn it Down” dominated LP’s album, Living Things, “Until It Breaks” is notable for its mix of very different genres and complete oddness.

The band strays from its traditional rap/metal and nu metal and tries something new.

Sounds like: A rapper with a heavy bass backing is shot with a tranquilizer dart at the halfway point.

7/10 -Tristian Aschittino business manager

Big Sean ft. Jay-Z and Kanye West - “Clique” Big Sean and two of G.O.O.D. Music’s heavyhitters rep their label on the latest single from the eagerly awaited collaboration album Cruel Summer. All the rappers bring their A-game, and the hypnotic beat will undoubtedly rock dance floors worldwide.

Sounds like: A moshpit at a Bar Mitzvah.

9/10 -David GonzalezDysinger editorials editor

September 21, 2012

Talent doesn’t change

by Matthew Voges reviews editor

Just a little while ago, Bob Dylan put on a wonderful concert in Rochester, proving that his time as America’s avant garde musician isn’t over. He isn’t one whose legacy was preserved by an early death, yet he hasn’t faded. Dylan is alive and well, and he shows it in his new album, Tempest.

This novel album is composed of ten fairly lengthy tracks beginning with “Duquesne Whistle.” The song sets the album off to a light, rolling, cheery, retrospective instrumental. Then the listener is hit by the rasp of elder Dylan’s voice. At some places he is downright Armstrongesque. Yet, with his unique, characteristic inflection, every verse, every word, is sung perfectly. It’s hard to explain, but his vocals can paint a prettier picture than most any female soprano.

Next comes “Soon After Midnight,” a charming lovesong that almost puts you to a grateful slumber before the next track, “Narrow Way,” which quickens up the pace.

The themes and tones continue to rise and fall until one wonders if the eye of Tempest

is that tragically beautiful, phantasmagoric experience commonly referred to as “the human condition.”

In accordance with Dylan’s lyrical history, Tempest is riddled with political and social commentary of the most eloquent sort, and one could write many essays analyzing every verse and each of many allusions. He’s a true poet and a peerless lyricist.

The album wraps itself up with a lengthy finale.

The third-to-last song is “Tin Angel.” It’s a song that ends with all three members of a volatile love triangle bleeding on the floor. Its steady, unwavering beat makes the gruesome lyrics all the more memorable, tragic, and sublime. There’s a pause when the curtain falls.

The penultimate is “Tempest.” “Tempest” recalls the tale of the infamous Titanic. A soft Irish melody permeates throughout, and, though just so tragic as “Tin Angel,” the tone is much calmer, more inevitable-perhaps because we all know what happens, perhaps because there was courage and good displayed on the Titanic that balanced out the bad. In any case, the title track sums up

and concludes the whole album wonderfully. But Dylan has one more surprise, a prayer for the dead.

In the final piece, “Roll on John,” Dylan shows us what a legend is. He paints such a nostalgic, transcendental portrait of John Lennon using lyrics from many of his own songs that hardly since the Biblical Gospels has a eulogy been so beautifully composed.

Tempest as a whole is energetic, lethargic, vicious, calm, eloquent, charming, frightening, and overwhelmingly nostalgic of musical

traditions past. It isn’t his masterpiece, but even so, it’s remarkable that he shines on so brightly at this stage in his career; however, as he isn’t done yet, Tempest should not be bought as a memorial piece to Dylan’s days of old, but as a signature on the petition reading: “Old Bobby’s still got it.”

photo courtesy of terrordaves.com

photo courtesy of androidcommunity.com

photo courtesy of moviepostershop.com

Summer Movie Recap photo courtesy of cinemalebnen.org

Much anticipated, The Dark Knight Rises made its way to theaters in the middle of summer vacation and was a box office hit, making over $400 billion according to IMDb. The plot of the movie wasn’t as good as that of The Dark Knight (it was as good as a we-have-to-stopthe bomb! plot can get), but it definitely scored higher on the “epic-ness” scale.

Everything was bigger in The Dark Knight Rises: the villain, the explosions, and the fights.

The script did have holes in places. Catwoman seemed to be thrown into the movie simply because of the need for a strong female character; there was no introduction as to why she was suddenly in Gotham City. It didn’t seem like she played a very important role in the plot-- she fought alongside Batman when the Dark Knight could have easily dispatched villains himself. Nevertheless, everything about the movie was awesome.

8.5/10

- Tristan Aschittino

photo courtesy of indiewire.com

Moonrise Kingdom was, without a doubt, the best movie this summer. It told the universal story of young love fighting the odds through a quintessentially Wes Anderson lens. The hero and heroine, socially disconnected twelveyear-olds Sam and Suzy, aim for nothing but the survival of their sapling love affair, and, in their aspiration, touch the hearts of everyone else on the setting island. Additionally, it’s a beautiful commentary on child welfare, a fanfare of witticism, a thoughtful look at the value of family, a thrilling biblical parallel, a criticism of condescension from adults, and a timeless tapestry of the general harrows of youth. Anderson’s is a unique film style, and one that surely works, as proven in The Royal Tenenbaums and Fantastic Mr. Fox. Few directors can rival the power displayed in the climax of this children’s love story, and, for that alone, Moonrise Kingdom deserves a special place in the 2012 film repertoire.

9.5/10

- Matthew Voges

9 reviews

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter appeared to be a movie made to test the limits of special effects, a movie designed to shock and awe the audience. It was entertaining, but not a ‘good’ movie. The plot was very simplistic--confederates were vampires and Abraham Lincoln traveled around killing them with a silver-edged axe. The violence was brutal, amplified, and often in slowmotion. At one point in the movie, Abraham Lincoln was battling a vampire on top of a stampede of horses running through the prairie. They were actually jumping from horse to horse. Another example of this ridiculous action could be found in a scene in which the great president is killing vampires atop a burning train, as it plunges off a cliff. It could be the beginning of a new highvoltage “Turbomovie” genre.

6/10 - Tristan Aschittino

photo courtesy of thecosmicheart.blogspot.com

The first big superhero movie of the summer, The Amazing Spider-Man, offered a nice alternative to the vigilante superhero plot where the hero is hated or misunderstood by the general public. Though it was quickly overshadowed by The Dark Knight Rises, the director, Marc Webb, did an incredible job of improving upon the 2003 Spider-Man trilogy.

There was a single powerful, yet vulnerable villain, the Lizard, that did not exhibit the psychotically evil traits of the traditional Marvel Villain (Loki, Red Skull, Green Goblin, etc.). The Lizard’s character was refreshing and redeemable. The bomb-plot, oddly, was used as a climax in this film as well, but didn’t serve as a basis for the entire movie. Although it was extremely close, The Amazing Spider-Man was a slightly better movie than The Dark Knight Rises.

9/10 - Tristan Aschittino

10/10

Prometheus, the prequel to Ridley Scott’s famous Alien, maintained a mysterious plot, great acting, and a vast assortment of religious symbolism rarely seen in the world of science fiction.

However, it was a bit too reliant on the plot’s esoteric side, and so the story on its own might appear lacking in places. As mentioned before, the acting was wonderful; Noomi Rapace epitomized the strong female lead, her forte, and Michael Fassbender, as android David, reached an air of frigidity not seen since 2001: A Space Odyssey’s HAL. Some of the scenes were cliché (for example, the death of corporation chaperon Meredith Vickers), and the personalities of most minor characters were similarly plain. Details aside, Prometheus was a stunningly scenic film that combined good acting and a covert theistic plotline to deliver an excellent prequel to a science fiction classic.

8/10

- Matthew Voges

10sports

September 21, 2012

White Water:

Not your ordinary summer camp

by Adam Toninato sports editor The Mounds View boys cross country team takes their summer miles seriously, because the runners who can log 350 miles over the summer are allowed to take the trip to Whitewater State Park for a week of fun--and grueling workouts. “I don’t care how fast or slow the boys are. The only thing that matters is the miles,” said Head Coach Ross Fleming.

To most people, Whitewater sounds like their worst nightmare. “Everyday we have a morning long slow run, and then in the afternoon we have a workout,” said Ryan Plasencia, 11.

Workouts include running the one kilometer rock-covered trail of Chimney Rock, which varsity runners will climb up to eight times; K2, which is a five mile run, three miles uphill; and a leisurely, relaxing, slow run for 12 miles.

Somewhere in between the two daily runs, they play. The boys make two inter-squad teams that will face off in anything from trivia and badminton, to touch football and home run derbies. “Everyone has fun with

the games and it makes the trip a lot of fun,” said Plasencia.

They also have a chance to compete with the other two schools that train at Whitewater, White Bear Lake and Roseville. Many runners proudly remembered that this was the first year in the past have five that they have beaten Roseville in volleyball.

When not moving, runners have a chance to relax and unwind. “There is always a lot of food.” according to Fleming, “Hotdog and hamburger eating contests are tradition.”

At night, exhausted runners “ice bath” in the streams outside their cabins, or play board games with each other. “There is a RISK tournament and it always gets very heated,” Tony Duchenes, 11, said.

After five days, the runners have covered 50 miles. The trip comes to a close as the second week of season practice starts, and everyone is primed and ready to run as the first races soon approach. “If we didn’t do it, I think I’d have a riot on my hands. The boys love the trip and it is a good incentive to get them keep them running through the summer,” said Fleming.

PICTURE picture of team running workout

All the Whitewater runners pose for a picture together outside of their cabins as the week began.

AD

The team gets together for a quick team meeting after their first workout of the day The boys charge up the 1 kilometer trail to Chimney Rock

Photos courtesy of Cross Country parents

September 21, 2012

sports11

New coaches take the reins Boys Soccer

Chris Scanlon

, now the varsity coach of the Mounds View boys soccer program, began his coaching career when his soccer coach in college at the University of Minnesota recruited him to work in his soccer camps.

Scanlon loves to see students showing an interest and getting involved in soccer. This led to him to create a junior varsity/C team, since he did not want to cut anyone that tried out and wanted everyone to have the chance to play fall soccer.

Prior to being named the varsity coach, Scanlon coached the freshman team. His main focus has shifted as he moved from coaching the freshman to the varsity squad.

“In coaching the freshman team, we worked a lot on technical development, and with the varsity team we’ve spent more time on the tactical aspects of the game,” said Scanlon.

Scanlon is pleased to be leading the varsity team, and hopes to maintain good consistency in team performance this year.

“Our goal is to show improvement throughout the season, develop positive relationships, and to compete for a conference and state championship. I’m very excited, and I think we are capable of competing at a high level,” said Scanlon.

Cheerleading

Emily Lang

Boys Cross Country

, a Mounds View High School graduate, class of 2000, is the new cheerleading coach. Lang herself was a cheerleader here at Mounds View.

“I enjoyed being in front of the crowd at the games,” said Lang.

She began her coaching career as an assistant coach in 2004. Then, at the end of last school year, the head coach retired, which left the position of head coach open for Lang. Lang didn’t face too much of a challenge transitioning into being a head coach.

“Transitioning into a coaching role was somewhat easy,” said Lang. “Being that I was a cheerleader for Mounds View for three years, and then was the assistant coach to [Head Coach] Best, [my experience] helped me know the program and how things were done.”

Lang and the cheerleaders are responsible for the preparations for Homecoming. They have to decorate the pepfest and the dance.

“We plan out all the Spirit Week themes, and we also decorate the field for the game on Friday night,” said Lang.

Lang aims for the cheerleading squad to have fun and enjoy what it does. She also hopes to create a “positive and respectful team environment.”

information compiled by Nathaniel Nikoi staff reporter

Bill Pratt

, the new assistant cross country coach, is excited to be at Mounds View.

Previously, he coached Roseville High School’s middle-distance and distance track team from 1993-2011.

Pratt wants to teach the boys to learn the values of hard work and sportsmanship.

“The thing with Coach Fleming is that it’s about building great citizens, not just great runners--people that are good students, that have good core values, that can lead. And I’m 100% behind it,” said Pratt.

Pratt also likes the sense of team spirit and teamwork he feels on the team.

“There’s real team spirit. I think most of our athletes are very coachable. They respect the coaches, they respect our opinions, and they take our prescribed workouts. I feel that it’s easy to coach here, because of the attitudes of the athletes, which is no accident,” said Pratt.

Pratt had a successful runner career himself.

He set the Washington state half-mile record as a high school junior, and later set the freshman half-mile and mile records at Stanford University.

Pratt wants to make the team better by making sure each of its runners does his best.

“My goal is to help each individual reach their full potential, and when that happens, the whole team will be strong and successful.”

Athlete of the Issue Q: How long have you been playing tennis?

A: I started playing in second grade.

Q: How did you start playing tennis?

A: My parents just signed my sister and me up [for lessons] in my neighborhood park.

Q: How did tryouts go for you this year?

A: Really well. [The coaches] had me play some people who were top varsity. I just figured that I would make Top 10 JV. Q: Do you have any goals for the season?

A: Just to make it to State.

Claire Chen Sophomore Varsity Tennis

Q: What do you prefer, singles or doubles? Why? A: Singles, because whenever I play doubles and I miss, I always feel bad for my partner. And then I feel like I play worse because of this.

Q: Who is your favorite tennis player?

A: Serena Williams.

Q: What is your favorite memory of playing tennis?

A: During practice we were doing the “progressive drill” and I won a killer back, so we didn’t have to run.

Q: What’s the longest match you have ever played?

A: Like... two and a half hours.

Q: What’s the best advice you have ever received?

A: Coach Cartwright always tells me to “put the ball in the court.”

Q: If you could have one super power what would it be? Why? A: Flying, because I could travel faster.

12gallery

September 21, 2012

VIEWER - GALLERY

Top Tapped Apps What are some of the trending apps at MV?

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information compiled by Youngjun Park

INSTAGRAM

18%

170 students polled

By Youngjun Park gallery editor #omglookatthathottie. What would you do if you saw someone/something that just blows you away? Of course, you would want to take a picture. This is when Instagram comes in handy. Instagram is a picture blog app that works like Twitter, allowing you and your friends to share all sorts of pictures. Also, with Instagram, you can “beautify” pictures by pumping up the contrast, adding an elegant frame, or using a different color scheme that enhances the visual effect. If blogging and taking pictures is your thing, be sure to check it out! When you see something cool, #Instagramit.

By Akshay Patke managing editor Have you ever been listening to the radio when you hear a fantastic song, but you don’t know its name? What do you do? You download SoundHound. SoundHound is a music recognition application that identifies the song that’s playing. Once it finds the song, it plays a preview, provides lyrics, and links you to a music store where you can buy the song. The free version allows unlimited music recognition and lyrics search, while the full version, which costs $6.99, also offers voice, singing, and humming recognition to give feedback on your vocal skills. SoundHound is for all music lovers.

WORD LENSE

By Youngjun Park gallery editor Bienvenue en France. You are in France and you come across a sign that seems pretty important. Unfortunately, you are illiterate in French. Oh, if only you had paid attention in your French class. What could it mean? It could lead you to the location of your French soulmate, or a bottomless pit that could consume you alive. But then, you remember that you had just downloaded Word Lense onto your smartphone! You open up the app, et voilà, the sign is suddenly translated into English! How is that possible? Word Lense is a foreign language translator that works by using the built in camera function in your device. When you put your device over the text you wish to translate, the phone recognizes the language and automatically translates the text on the spot. What you are left with is a sign that looks as if it was written in English in the first place! The current version only supports Spanish, French and Italian, but other languages are certainly in line for development. Also, because it works without internet connection, it could prove to be a valuable tool when you are in a pinch.

images courtesy of www.gizmag.com, www.fizzlegames.com, www.facebook.com, www.jeffbullas.com, www.crunchbase.com, www.robaid.com

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