Woodbridge High holds a number of different graphics and design classes. Matthew Takeno is one of the teachers for these classes. Takeno teaches a plethora of classes from Digital Media Arts to Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Graphics and Yearbook. All of these classes require computers. Not just basic chromebooks, but real computers.

For years, Takeno’s classes have been using an old model of Dell monitors and computers. Before this year, other teachers had already received new computers and Takeno was hoping for a upgrade as well. After doing some research, Takeno ordered the new iMac Apple computers.

These new computers are a massive upgrade from the old ones.

“They don’t break like they used to,” Takeno said when talking about the benefits of the new computers. The old computers had many problems, such as lagging and constant crashing.
Jocelyn Chan, a sophomore at Woodbridge High in Takeno’s Computer Graphics class, remarked on her frustrations using the old computers in Digital Media Art last year.

“They were super difficult to work with and sometimes my Illustrator and Photoshop progress wouldn’t save,” said Chan. Struggling to save or being forced to restart projects became the norm due to the lag of the old computers.

“I think the record for most crashes in one class was seven,” Chan said.

Since purchasing these new computers, work has gotten a little easier for every student. With no lag, students are able to work easily and not worry about losing progress. This allows them to put in greater time and effort without constantly being anxious about losing progress.

In previous years, the lag caused so much frustration and discouragement some students struggled to finish assignments after giving up because of how long the computers took to restart. However, these frustrations are no longer relevant, as all students now have the privilege of using nice, new devices that don’t crash or have extreme lag.

“The new monitors are a lot bigger than the old computer monitors which is a lot more convenient when working with split screens,” Chan said when talking about other benefits. The Apple computers have lots of upgrades considering that they are new and modern technology.

These computers are going to open up many opportunities for students.

“It also is gonna allow us to do things like video that we couldn’t do before,” said Takeno. In intermediate classes with more advanced software it will allow for more complex projects. In beginner classes like Digital Media Art, students’ art can be done quicker and with more ease on the technological side.

One of Takeno’s most important jobs is to make the yearbook with his year-book class. Previously, while creating layouts and captions, there was always the stress of the PC crashing and losing progress. Now this year, that worry is nearly non-existent. With smoothly running devices, the students can input their captions and photos without always running from a crash.

These computers are a big improvement for every single class that Takeno teaches. They helped to increase morale as well as project quality and complexity. The Apple computers also opened up new opportunities for all the students to find a passion in digital media, art and design. After finishing the beginner classes students can advance to higher level computer classes and reap even more benefits.

Most of the students are very grateful and appreciate these new computers. Especially students who have dealt with the old computers and their issues. Along with Chan, sophomore Mady Nolan is taking one of Takeno’s classes for the second year. Both Nolan and Chan expressed different reasons for gratitude.

“I can charge my phone!” Nolan said.

“They’re a pretty yellow color,” Chan said.

The class has gained a more modern and clean aesthetic since buying these new computers. This is just one of the less impactful, yet wonderful benefits.

Thanks to Takeno, these classes will have new opportunities and students will have more abilities than ever before. The new computers are loved by students for many reasons and are also helpful in so many ways.