Laptops, iPods, cell phones, flash drives and calculators are technology that students use every day. Knowledge and use of technology has changed over time.

Student technology is greatly expanding, which gives students wonderful resources to further their education at Palo Alto College.

“As a student, technology is very beneficial, because it gets me from point A to point B, and if it wasn’t for my alarm on my phone, I wouldn’t probably even make it to point A,” said Jason Morales, a sophomore Psychology major.

Morales said a tape recorder is another necessity for him so he can record exactly what his instructors say.Around campus, more and more students are bringing their personal laptops to school. Some take notes on their laptops because they’re better able to capture what the professor is saying by typing rather than writing by hand.

Other students use their laptops for online classes or surfing the Web. Breaks between classes allow students to take advantage of the WiFi connection that Palo Alto offers.

Faith Williams, a sophomore Speech Communications major, said the programs she uses on her laptop are Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Her laptop allows her privacy, because the noise level inside the cafeteria is at times loud. She is able to escape outside or to other quiet areas to use her laptop.

Palo Alto provides students with easy access to WiFi on campus. The only thing required when logging in is an e-mail address. Palo Alto College has provided students with WiFi since 2003 by the college network that’s fed from AT&T.

“In the last year, we have seen an increase in our WiFi usage and may now have to restrict it to employees and current students,” said Christopher Delgado, coordinator of College Technology.

Employees have a secured access side and guest have an unsecured access side for the wireless network. Every building as well as some areas outside are able to receive the service.

“I find the WiFi technology very useful when doing my school work because I’m more productive than being at home. And, the speed is faster,” said Williams.

Flash drives are handy portable devices students carry around.The drives allow students to save and pull up important files. Any computer with a USB connection can open them.Flash drives allow students to work on any school assignments at work, home or anywhere a computer is available.

MP3 music players, like iPods, can often be seen among college students while walking around the Palo Alto campus. Some students loudly blast their music in their headphones.

“I love music. Even at home, I have it on constantly,” said Skylar Aum, a sophomore Psychology major. Aum owns an 8 gigabyte iPod and said he has about 1,300 songs.

Cell phones are another aspect of student technology. Students need to update their phone numbers and e-mail accounts in PALS to be in the loop in case an emergency occurs. Students also use cell phones to call or text a classmate to see what they have missed if they were absent from a class.

Cell phones also come in handy while on campus in case of emergencies. Students are able to immediately report any incidents or emergencies to Campus Security at 24-hour Emergency ACCD-DPS Police Services at (210)-222-0911.

Digital still cameras and video cameras are also becoming common, allowing students to demonstrate their creative side. Spots that students post their work are websites like www.youtube.com and www.myspace.com

The Ozuna Library’s Information Concourse on the second floor offers students a variety of technology to use such as computers, copiers and printers. Printing is 10 cents per page and must be paid for in advance.

The library isn’t only open to students of Palo Alto. It’s also open to the general public. In addition, the library has a staff that is more than eager to help.

Advanced and updated technologies are important features students look forward to on campus and at home.

Improvements and upgrades to campus hardware and software are made quite often. Palo Alto’s operating system is Microsoft Windows XP with SP2. The college has the latest Microsoft software that a majority of students use, including Microsoft Access, Excel, Groove, InfoPath, OneNote, PowerPoint, Publisher and Word. Other software is also included on campus computers.

Technology in our future is greatly expanding. The Sony Reader and Amazon Kindle allow students to access e-books on handy portable devices. These latest technological devices just might replace buying books at bookstores. However, purchasing e-books online will be required.

“More applications are becoming web based, said Delgado.

“I would like to see the Alamo Community Colleges partner with AT&T and Apple.  This would allow students to get class lectures on iPhones and the iPod touch. Abilene Christian is doing this now at www.acu.edu/technology/mobilelearning/index.html