Yearbooks go digital at Augusta Prep

Technology may be solving the dilemma of finding storage space for all those yearbooks.

In addition to the traditional yearbook, Augusta Preparatory Day School's Lower School will have one on CD-ROM.

Computer teacher Joyce Howard recently received a $950 grant from the Augusta Junior League for the project, titled A Digital History: Capturing the Year with Technology.

Howard said she got the idea after seeing another school's presentation at the Georgia Education Technology Conference.

"They learn about cooperation because they have to work with other students, they learn about responsibility and they learn about technology that they don't get in the regular classroom," she said.

The money is slated to buy a digital camera capable of producing short video clips and other camera equipment, the CDs, labeling software and the software needed to edit the clips.

The digital yearbook will include images of field trips, events and a snap-shot of day-to-day life at the school. When it is completed, pupils at the school will be able to buy the CD-ROM, with the proceeds assuring the continuation of the project. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to a charitable organization chosen by the pupils.

But the project is more than a means to provide a yearbook in a new medium. It's an opportunity for pupils to integrate their knowledge of technology into a meaningful hands-on project.

"I love computers," said Brandon Cassidy, one of 13 fourth-graders working on the project. "This has been very exciting."

Pupils will learn how to take, download and save pictures; how to obtain permission to use copyrighted graphics, sound and music; and will copyright and distribute the finished project. They'll also have to learn the hardware and software to put it all together.

Pupils will be assigned to cover events and activities on a rotating basis so every pupil involved will have the opportunity to use the digital camera and the other computer equipment necessary to process the images.

Fourth-grader Elizabeth-Ann Sams said they've already photographed parties, field trips, the Halloween carnival and parade and her classmates playing on the playground.

The 13 working on the project will also be involved in the editing process, deciding the graphics, sound and music to bring it all together.

"I can't wait," Brandon said.