SPRINGFIELD YEARBOOK Students incorporate technology into work

The high school's yearbook staff used to draw the pages by hand.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Springfield High School students are creating their next yearbook with the clicking of a few buttons.
The 16-member yearbook staff, advised by instructors Paula Putarek and Mike Dunn, are using software that allows the students to send their work via the Internet to Walsworth Publishing Co. in Kansas, Mo.
The students, all seniors and members of the high school journalism class, design each page using Adobe InDesign 2.02. They are then able to use Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat to make finishing touches. Once the page is designed, the staff uses digital photographs, converting them to PDF files, which are then sent to the publisher through the Internet.
This is the first time students at Springfield have used the software.
"Now, the students are able to be more creative with the design," Putarek said. "They're learning how to use the latest technology to finish the project. It's a great opportunity for them to learn how to use these tools. And they're doing a really nice job."
Old method
Previously the yearbook staff drew the pages by hand on triplicate forms, typed directions and submitted hard-copy photographs to Walsworth employees, who would produce the pages after proofreading them and making necessary corrections. With the new system, the yearbook staff can make its own corrections.
Mandy Barney, Walsworth yearbook representative, said the technology provides students with skills they can apply to industries such as journalism, advertising, printing and graphic design.
Barney said use of the new technology is limited, but she is expecting it to become more popular with school districts throughout the area.
"It just makes the entire process easier and more efficient for the students working on these projects," she said. "We're very excited about the end result."
The students will complete Springfield's 2005 yearbook, "Memoirs," in June, a few days after commencement.
"We always include graduation in the yearbook," Putarek said. "So the students will continue working on it until a few days after the ceremony. We're all looking forward to seeing the new yearbook. I think it will be something the students can really be proud of. I'm glad we're able to provide them with this technology."