Schools apply computer technology

By BEV WHEATLEY
Staff writer
The Grand Blanc News

Students like it, and instructors like it even more — the advantages high technology computers now offer the learning
and teaching processes.

Ask Dudley Place, biology instructor at Grand Blanc High School. He has laser disc technology at his fingertips that he
integrates into his lessons. He has 55,000 stills — short movie clips, specimens of plants, etc. — that he shows on a television screen via high technology.

They come in color. They get the attention of the class. They are versatile. And they can be reversed, slide by slide.

Place keeps all of his grades on a computer and his records on laser discs.

Go into the library and you'll find students accessing a CD Rom encyclopedia. They can learn about the composer,
Bach, for instance, and listen to his music playing via ear phones as they learn.

Or take the CD Rom of "Mammals" containing all the animals in the world. Students can bring up pictures and see them in their natural habitat. It has the actual sound, in-depth detail, and is all in color. Produced by National Geographic, it will show the regional of the animal, as well.

Many of these computer systems, including the one in Grand Blanc Schools, Clio, Carman-Ainsworth, Montrose, Mt. Morris, Clio, Flushing, the Genesee Area Skill Center, and more, are being set up and serviced by Bit By Bit Computing, specialist in computer solutions, located in Grand Blanc.

Mark Christenson, marketing director at Bit By Bit said, "we are now setting up large networks of CAD (Computer
Aided Design) programs in high schools and junior high schools that entails learning architecture and drawing programs for engineering.

"Setting up CD Rom interactive programming is a big piece now. It has unbelievable amounts of information available at very low cost to schools. It is more dynamic," he said.

Christenson said the second most popular CD Rom is called "Presidents", narrated by George C. Scott. It depicts
George Washington crossing the Delaware. There are photos of presidents in later years and some animation.

"What's nice is you can pick instantly," said Christenson. "With the CD Rom, you punch Lincoln, and it's all there."

The company also sets up atlases. "You put in the parameters and it will bring up information and pictures," said
Christenson. "The information is easily accessed by the students."

The company has set these up in the Carman-Ainsworth, Clio, and Flushing school districts.

"We set up 400 stations in Clio." said Christensen. "Teachers can link in from home to do planning and set up notes."

In Flushing schools, 40 work stations were recently set up.

"They realized students need (computer) skills when they get out of school," said Christenson.

There are eight stand-alones in the elementary schools in the Carman-Ainsworth district, he said.

Students are creating their own publications, such as student newspapers, using a PageMaker.

Bit By Bit has been setting up a computer network in the president's office at Mott Community College.

It also sets up systems in homes for women in need, in battered women's shelters so they can learn word processing
and data base skills while recovering. The company set up an entire network at the Carriage Town Mission.

Bit By Bit Computing is owned by Greg Neuffer, a Grand Blanc high school graduate. His twin brother Eric designs
circuit boards for companies.

"We work closely with customers to find the best solution to their automation needs." said Christenson. "We specialize in Novell Netware Systems and are currently one of 30 authorized Novell Gold Resellers
in Michigan."