"Technovation Circle" continues its aim of gathering the comments, opinions, and ideas of teachers on issues involving the application of technolgy to education. We believe the new technologies of Internet, comptuters and multimedia can be inclusive, even to those unfamilir with educational technologies. We hope to assist teachers in the effective application of technologies to teaching. "Technovation Circle" is written by the Compumedia group at Bedford Road Collegiate in Saskatoon - teacher Russ Brown and students Grant S., Ryan G., Tyler M., Dave K., Brent T., Dave S. and Justin M.

Please feel free to answer our Talkback question: "We invite you to share with us your thoughts on any problems you see with the introduction of new education technologies to instruction. Are there better ways to introduce new technologies? Are there some technologies that should not be being introduced? Are new technologies being introduced at the expense of other things that should be happening in our schools?" At the same time, we invite you to continue sending us your examples of instructional uses of educational technologies.

Mount Royal Collegiate in Saskatoon has recently installed a new surveillance system. The system was installed for two reasons: to ensure a safe environment for students and staff, one free from break-ins and theft, and to deter potential vandals.

The system was originally designed to record problem areas around the school throughout the day. Because it is very expensive to monitor all of the cameras 24 hours a day, Mount Royal decided to use a sequential system of surveillance. In this system, the monitor records each of the camera views in sequence, switching cameras every five seconds. This is the most efficient method of security.

The cameras were installed four different ways: in a housing unit mounted to the ceiling, hidden, virtually hidden, and not hidden at all. To ensure that the cameras were not being vandalise, hidden cameras provide a view of those that are visible. So far the system has captured cases of theft, harassment, and vandalism on tape. Though the system is still being expanded to accommodate Mount Royal's size, it has already give staff and students an enhanced feeling of confidence and security.