A new computer lab/work space as been built by the library and the west wing at New Prairie High School. It is an open concept room with forty eight windows.
There have been many different opinions circulating around New Prairie towards this “Fish Bowl” room. Some people think it's a distracting and awkward place to be in, and others think it’s slick and bright and makes the hallway look cooler.
In a survey, Kristen Barden, a teacher at the high school, thinks that the room looks cool but she wouldn’t want to be in it.
“Everyone who walks by can see everything we're doing. Also, students can be really distracted by people walking by and distract each other,” said Barden.
Principal Jennifer Sass shows a different opinion on this see-through room.
“I think it's a great collaborative space. It is a great extended learning space for the library,” Sass said.
Sophomore Cameron Fanselow also feels positive towards the room.
“I think it’s a nice room and I’m glad we have it. It gives teachers and students an opportunity to discover new areas.” Fanselow said.
Teacher, Arlene Zarate thinks there are too many distractions in the “Fish Bowl” room to teach a class.
“It’s a difficult class to teach in because there are so many distractions. Every time a student walks by they feel the need to wave to the teacher and all the students in the classroom,” Stated Zarate.
Sass recognizes that the room could be difficult to teach in every day.
“I don't think it would be an area to teach a class daily, but I think we could get used to it if we needed it,” Sass said.
Spanish teacher, Christy Pietrzak, uses the distracting issue to her benefit.
“I would call out, "saluden a la persona" which translates as, "greet the person" when students and staff passed the room. My students and I would turn around and wave at the person. The kids learned a new phrase, plus it made passers-by feel good!” Pietrzak said.
Some students do not like the room because of how people in the halls can watch everything through the windows.
Ashleigh Snyder, freshman, thinks the room is “a little anxiety-inducing.”
“Personally, I’m a pretty anxious person, so when I feel like I’m being watched, I freak out. Even if there are people just walking by without actually watching our class, I still feel them staring,” Snyder expressed.
But other students think it is a good idea for the students and staff in the hallway to be able to see into the room.
“It looks cool and is a fun idea so people can see what is being taught in the classroom,” Commented Freedom Miller, Sophmore.
Pietrzak had noticed that when teaching in this room, the students acted differently than usual.
“Notoriously quiet classes were chatty. A variety of students were using their iPads when they should not have been, but it was more difficult for me to monitor within the tighter space,” Pietrzak said.
She mentioned that not having all of her classroom supplies also made teaching in the room difficult.
“Without my cell phone pocket chart in the room, a student was caught texting during class. For me, I normally can walk up to any student in their seat; with the Fish Bowl's table layout, I could not have the one-on-one interaction needed to ensure comprehension.”
A big concern people have is the safety of this work space. One of the reasons Jasmine Meadows, junior, doesn’t like the room is because of that.
“[The room] is dangerous in the event of an intruder or storm.” Meadows said.
Sass explained that if there is an intruder or storm, there are safety plans set.
“The safety plan would be to vacate that area and go to the inside room of the library right next to it.” She said.
Despite all the opinions about this window-filled room, it is here to stay and be used by teachers who need it.