While some teachers prefer homework completed with pen and paper, Scott Falk, campus pastor, encourages students to use technology when posting assignments in an online forum.

Falk began the senior Bible forum at the start of second semester. Weekly, he posts a question on the site for students to answer, in addition to each other?s responses.

He typically uses opinion question. For example, what is the best thing about 2006? What are you looking forward to in 2007?

?I like the program because it is a great way to connect with the students, and for them to connect with each other,? Falk said. ?The entries include links to each student?s e-mail, and allows students to interact without feeling threatened.?

The forum connects students to the online community and gives them time to consider the question and peer opinions. The online discussion brings learning out of the classroom.

?The program makes you talk about things you wouldn?t be able to normally,? Paris Smith, ?07, said. ?It is a non-threatening atmosphere, and you can really think about the question. You can write very openly.?

Jon Endicott, associate principal, and David Martens, director of technology, helped Falk start the forum.

?I originally started the program for my A.P. English class to study poetry,? Endicott said. I posted a poem every week and had the students respond. The advantage of the forum was that students could see others remarks, and didn?t have to use class time to interact.?

To get to the forum page, students access the campus website, then the classroom section, and click on forums. The students then choose their bible period, and enter their name and password.

?I like the forum because it is easy to use,? Meghan Joy, ?07, said. ?We can have good discussions, in a relaxed and more free atmosphere. The dialogue is less awkward, and you can really discuss the topic.?

Falk plans to continue the forum and improve the types of questions. He hopes that students can use the program to relate to each other in a new way.