U.S. Military Technology Comes to Schoolchildren
One of Morgan Teacher Education Dept. professors, Dr. Nira Taru mentioned during our conversation about an outstanding facility available for teachers and students in Maryland, U.S. - Virtual Lab.
I seized on an opportunity to touch base with the guys there and managed to make an appointment. Here's what I saw.
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| Teachers are getting together to figure out how to promote technology for school instruction |
Allow me to blabbermouth the history of facility.
To be consistent, Virtual Lab or Virtual Learning Environment was constructed on the premises of Chesapeake High School, Baltimore, MD, U.S.
Based on the information from their brochure, Chesapeake High School became a STEM Academy (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) after receiving a state grant in the amount of USD1.3 million which basically gave the steering committee a free hand in overhauling of the programs to better meet the needs of students in the shrinking global economy.
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| Laboratory |
In following with Chesapeake's 21st century learning focus, instructional technology tools have been introduced to all classroom teachers. Every classroom is equipped with a wireless tablet, document camera and LCD projector. Every teacher receives a laptop computer. Other technology tools added to Chesapeake High School include mobile laptop carts for student use, electronic student response systems, TI-navigators, interactive computer panels, whiteboards, digital cameras, MP-3 players, FLIP video cameras, Vernier accessories, and Carnegie mathematics software for Algebra and Geometry. A brand new state-of-the-art television studio opened in 2011 for students in the Journalism/Communications pathway.
In addition, Web 2.0 initiatives have been integrated into every curriculum area and a "Bring Your Own Device" initiative has been introduced in 2012-2013. This will allow teachers and students to explore instructional applications for smartphones, iPads/tablets, and personal computers, among other electronic devices that students may own. The overall goal has been to introduce students to appropriate uses of technologies and communication tools which mirror those they will be using within the global society and workforce.
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| Student's working place in the Laboratory |
The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) at CHS STEM Academy is a cutting-edge technology facility and was the first of its kind in any public school in the nation. In 2009, in cooperation with Johns Hopkins University, Chesapeake constructed and piloted an initiative that brought sophisticated military technology and customized educational software to the high school environment. Students have been introduced to a collaboration, communication and learning the way it goes in a professional world.
Now Chesapeake cooperates in developing projects with University of Baltimore and Breakaway Games, LLC.
The VLE is comprised of two unique rooms: the ARENA and the Laboratory, both offering whole group and individualized learning experiences. The ARENA is a replica of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Columbia, MD.
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| The ARENA |
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| A costly but indispensable console |
This room was designed to immerse student groups in a 360 degree view of a virtual environment as they solve the curriculum-based project challenges. The ARENA also provides a video conferencing room and ten work stations, allowing for opportunities for students to work in small groups as well as video conference with experts in universities, corporations and government.
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| The AREENA |
The Laboratory environment gives the opportunity for students to work individully and in collaborative pairs or small groups.
The three-monitor configuration provides a unique feature of this facility, and new ways to integrate the full features of the ARENA and Laboratory to enhance teaching, learning, and college and career readiness, are continually being explored.
The three-monitor configuration provides a unique feature of this facility, and new ways to integrate the full features of the ARENA and Laboratory to enhance teaching, learning, and college and career readiness, are continually being explored.
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| A versatile teacher station which features accountability of what students are up with their devices |
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