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Upper School teachers use not just their Teacher Pages, but also many other web platforms in order to enhance learning and communication with students.
At Mount Vernon, we believe that when students learn the skills needed to navigate these various web platforms, they are actually learning in real-time, and with the help of their instructors, how to make an increasingly complex world simpler and more manageable. For this reason, Upper School teachers make use of the most advanced technologies, teaching students to assess their worth and make use of them for both learning as well as the public good.
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Below is a list of various Upper School teachers, the web platforms they use, and the reasons they use them.
BOBBY PAUL ANTONY - BPaul@mountvernonschool.org
Students in Bobby’s class will build an iPhone app before Christmas! In addition to his teacher page, Bobby makes use of the Java Virtual Machine environment. Students will be downloading and learning JDK 6 in order to apply programming code using their logic. With JDK 6, students write program code which executes tasks. Bobby regularly gives students individual projects (programs to build and execute) and they email back their work. They also provide the corresponding C++ code of the work they have done in Java. Additionally, in Bobby’s Special Tech Projects Class, students work on topics in advanced Java, such as Swing, Servlets, TCP/IP concepts. Projects in this class include developing programs that solve Physics problems, host simple Applets (Internet Programs), and create things like analog clocks, animations, lottery-number-generating programs, and programs that mix colors.
JAMES A. CAMPBELL - JCampbell@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to his teacher page, James makes use of edmodo.com, a virtual learning environment that looks like Facebook and allows users to create, manage, and share academic content. With Edmodo, James’ students discuss articles and participate in ongoing class discussions. James also makes use of Quia, an online assessment system with automatic grading, immediate feedback, and detailed reporting, so that his students are able to practice outside of class what is discussed during class. Finally, James maintains a WordPress website. Here, parents and students will find assignments (classwork & homework), syllabi, and lecture notes.
MELODY CANNON - MCannon@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to her teacher page, Melody uses a variety of technologies to enhance student performance, organization, and communication. On her WordPress blog, as on her Teacher Page, she provides class documents, daily assignments, and other academic material for review. Also, to enhance learning, she incorporates PowerPoint, YouTube, and a variety of academic websites into her lessons. Another technology she uses is Turnitin.com, the application of which enhances a student’s understanding of how to appropriately use citations and paraphrase when writing formally. In order for students to work collaboratively and for teachers to collaborate on the Writing Initiative, she uses the Windows Live Cloud. Finally, as an academic research tool, she uses the databases available through Galileo, a web-based virtual library through the Georgia University System.
MOLLY CHRISTIAN - MChristian@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to her teacher page, Molly uses Windows Live Skydrive Cloud, a storage place in a “cloud” where students upload their files and photos so that they can be accessed from anywhere while also being able to share and collaborate with others. With Skydrive, Molly’s students upload photos taken for yearbook, collaborate on photos uploaded by classmates, and use this avenue for choosing pictures to use in the yearbook. Molly also makes use of Yearbook Avenue, the online platform used to design Mount Vernon’s yearbook.
KELLY EASTWOOD - KEastwood@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to her teacher page, Kelly also uses Musictheory.net in her classroom. This is an interactive website that teaches the basic fundamentals of music. Kelly also uses Youtube for examples of choral singing. Critiquing performances is a valuable learning activity, especially as we strive to become better communicators through song.
MICHAEL EDMONSON, J.D. - MEdmonson@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to his teacher page, Mike makes use of various environmentally themed websites (e.g., www.epa.gov) to explore current topics in environmental science. Mike also utilizes Netflix for current documentaries and commentary on science and economics. With the use of these additional web based resources, Mike brings expert commentary and thought provoking exercises into the classroom.
TIMOTHY J. EDWARDS - TEdwards@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to his teacher page, T.J. makes use of the Haiku Learning Management System. The Haiku class page is password protected for privacy and includes several features that foster collaboration and learning enrichment. T.J. is able to post different forms of media, including video, embedding material from the web, and uploading MS Office or Google documents. This means that syllabi, objective sheets, handouts, and powerpoints are all available for download and review 24/7. Haiku also supports threaded discussions (blog) and private discussions (journals) which will be utilized to share ideas between students in each class as well as with students in other sections of the class. T.J.’s classes will also use the “dropbox” feature within Haiku LMS which allows students to upload assignments directly from their laptop.
MICHAEL S. FARRY - MFarry@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to his teacher page, Michael makes use of Quia.com, an online assessment system with automatic grading, immediate feedback, and detailed reporting, so that his students are able to practice outside of class what is discussed during class.
KATHLEEN HARTSOCK - KHartsock@mountvernonschool.org
Katie currently utilizes Mount Vernon Teacher Pages to post detailed class schedules, links, and homework. All class documents, including relevant class notes, are uploaded to her teacher pages at this time, though in the near future, parents and students will see increased use of Windows Live for document sharing. Additionally, Katie’s classes will often rely on www.turnitin.com to turn in written assignments, peer edit, submit works in progress, and share work with classmates.
DANIELLE HEINTZ - DHeintz@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to her teacher page, Danielle Heintz uses TI-Smartview, a virtual graphing calculator that appears on the projector. This technology allows for students to watch step-by-step as problems are being solved in real time and via a sidebar that shows all buttons that have been pressed sequentially. Danielle also makes use of “Calculus in Motion,” an application that demonstrates the movement and solutions to free response questions from AP Calculus AB and BC. This application helps students in visualizing problems that might be difficult to draw on paper, and it aids in collaborative class discussions about the conceptual aspects of Calculus. Another application used is “Geometer’s Sketchpad,” which is similar to Calculus in Motion but primarily used in Geometry. In addition, Danielle finds other helpful web-based resources like YouTube and www.calculus-help.com for video lessons to precede or enhance the learning of a concept; throughout the year, there are several interactive Java lessons that can be found online as well. For AP classes, College Board is an excellent resource for students to practice AP style questions and find problems similar to those on the tests.
DR. GREG HITE - GHite@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to his teacher page, Dr Hite uses a WordPress blog for each of his classes. The platform is simple to use and allows him to access materials, respond to students, and post new information from a variety of platforms, including his cell phone. These pages allow his students to easily access course information and material as well as share notes and comment on each other’s thoughts and ideas about the material. In addition students will be setting up a FlashFriends account to create and share flash cards on vocabulary terms. The set-up is easy to use and allows students to truly see the value of collaboration when it comes to studying and reviewing large amounts of material.
MITZI KINTZ - MKintz@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to her teacher page, Mitzi is starting up a blog entitled volve aestum, ROLL TIDE, in Latin. On the blog she will be sharing the fact that the Latin I seventh graders are creating scrolls, the first entry on which will be their own drawing of a human body labeled with the Latin word for “head,” “neck,” “elbow,” “hand,” etc. That class is also writing a fictional story about the lares, household gods, coming to life and performing good deeds in a house in Pompeii. At the high school level, 9th grade Latin I and Latin II students will be devising some “Olympic games” in which the middle schoolers can take part. Though one or two of the games will be athletic, most of them will involve pronunciation and knowledge of Latin grammar. Currently studying ancient Egypt, 9thgrade Latin II students will be creating mosaics out of glass.
HENRY KUNATH - HKunath@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to his teacher page, Hank makes use of TED and various virtual environments at major art museums world wide such as art institute of Chicago, SFMoma, instructional sites such as ceramicsdaily.org, and other similar locations to add quality material to the curriculum.
KRISTA PARKER - KParker@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to her teacher page, Krista makes use of khanacademy.com, youtube.com, and cellsalive.com. These websites can be used by the student for enrichment as well as reinforcement. Students use applications such as Google Docs and/or Windows Live when writing formal laboratory reports. Both enable students to work collaboratively and write and edit their documents from any computer. Students in Krista’s classes are also encouraged to use Quia which is an online assessment system that affords students the opportunity to review material outside of class.
DR. THOMAS ROUNDS - TRounds@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to his teacher page, Tom makes use of a WordPress blog entitled DocRounds. For the moment, the blog simply provides an alternative pathway to the Teacher Pages. However, as the semester progresses, it will become a much more robust repository of information for parents and students. In addition, Tom naturally will communicate through e-mail and on the Windows Live! cloud platform.
FRANK SHELTON - FShelton@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to his teacher page, Frank makes use of TED in order to expose students to creative thinking skills and innovative technologies. He also uses Art 21 websites to show students that Art is much broader than our own experiences and understanding.
GRETCHEN SNYDER - GSnyder@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to her teacher page, Gretchen makes use of a variety of Spanish language websites for global current events and cultural information such as Prensaescrita, a link to many online newspapers in various Spanish speaking countries, and RTVE, a Spanish TV, news and radio broadcast. Students read, watch, and listen to current events media and use them as topics of writing and discussion in class. She also uses Quia to engage students in grammar practice through a variety of online games, where they can also receive immediate assessment and feedback. For organized vocabulary practice, the use of Flashcardmachine is encouraged to assist students with the creation of online flash-cards onto which images and audio can be attached and which can be uploaded to students’ iPods to facilitate studying outside of school.
RICHARD SOMMERS - RSommers@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to his teacher page, Richard makes use of a variety of online French radio stations (eg, www.tv5.org, www.rfi.fr, www.radiofrance.fr, & www.parismatch.com) to expose high school students to authentic French broadcasting. This provides the students with an excellent opportunity to practice their French listening skills while also exposing them to French culture. Richard also makes use of Quia, an online assessment system with automatic grading, immediate feedback, and detailed reporting, so that his students are able to practice outside of class what is discussed during class.
DAVID SONG - DSong@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to his teacher page, David makes use of Khan Academy, a non-profit, world-class teaching tool focused around Mathematics, Science, and Humanities. With over 2,400 easy to learn videos, students can go home and practice problems and clarify anything missed from the day’s lesson. David also makes use of Geometers Sketch Pad, an LCD-projected simulation that enables students to view constructions and three-dimensional figures being formed. Lastly, David makes use of TI-Smartview, a virtual graphing calculator broadcasted via his LCD projector. This technology allows for students to watch step-by-step as problems are being solved in real time and via a sidebar that shows all buttons that have been pressed sequentially.
R. CLARK TAYLOR - CTaylor@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to his teacher page, Clark Taylor makes use of Theatre History.com, a virtual learning environment for theatre students that allows users to access academic content regarding innovations and touchstones in the theatrical arts. As the semester develops, Clark’s students will interact and explore sites involving production and design, such as The Costumers Manifesto as well as scenic production studios like Cobalt Blue. In addition, Clark’s students observe and critique drama performance and design off various theatre links through Youtube, Ted, Education Theatre Association and the TheatreCommunicationsGroup. This gives students exposure to current trends and topics regarding the state of live performance as well as designer and artist profiles and new techniques, opening students perspectives on the bigger picture of the craft and the industry of this unique field.
MICHAEL TURNER - MTurner@mountvernonschool.org
In addition to his teacher page, Mike also uses several other applications of technology. The Smart Board and online textbook work together in Mikes math classes as each class is able to work through examples on the Smart Board as the text is being projected to the class. Geometer’s Sketchpad is another application used in Mike’s Geometry class in order to demonstrate different types of constructions used throughout the course. The TI Smart View is a interactive calculator that is projected for all students allowing Mike to show them step-by-step instructions on how to use their TI Graphing Calculators for the various topics in his class. Lastly, Mike has begun what is called Flip Instruction methodology, which is videotaping lessons from his Algebra II text and making them downloadable for viewing on Youtube. His Algebra II students view the lessons at night and then return the next day to discuss the topic. After discussing the topic and making sure there is a clear understanding, the students will then begin the questions from that section. This allows Mike to be available to answer any questions a student may have from the particular topic. The Youtube lessons are also beneficial for any students that have missed class or for students reviewing for the semester exam.
