by Eva Gucker
Pittsford High School is bringing in students in a new way this year.
Although physics has been a familiar class here at Pittsford for years, a new twist has been added. By using ITV technology, Pittsford’s physics class, taught by Mr. Burger, is now being viewed at North Adams-Jerome High School. Students from NA-J enrolled to take Pittsford’s physics class via television. As Mr. Burger teaches his class here at Pittsford, North Adams students are able to listen and interact with the Pittsford class. This brings different opportunities and depth to Pittsford Schools although it may include some possible challenges.
The idea of the class was brought to the Pittsford administration by the Hillsdale County Intermediate School District (ISD) near the end of the 2007-2008 school year. Because there are few highly qualified physics teachers in the county, many schools can’t offer physics, so Pittsford was asked to host the class. The administration chose to take the opportunity to utilize ITV because of the many possibilities that could come of it.
Pittsford will see the benefits in many ways from choosing to broadcast their class. The Pittsford school district receives funds from NA-J that can be generated back into the school and/or physics program. “If we can broadcast (the physics class), we get money for our school district. We use that money for new books, technology, and other materials,” said high school principal Mr. Cook. The small schools in the county have only a core group of seven or eight students in their physics classes, if they can offer one at all, and combining classes would be the most reasonable idea to solve resource problems.
Students are also enjoying this new program. One positive effect that students receive is being exposed to new technology. “The technology allows us to have communication between schools,” said senior student Ben Wines. Because of that technology, interacting with previously unknown students brings new learning experiences. “It’s cool that we get to work with kids from another school because we get to look at things from a different perspective,” said physics student Maggie Chisholm.
Although there were some glitches at the beginning, the program is starting to make progress and become very useful. There are still some problems, but they are continually being worked out. “Tech issues are always a problem,” said Mr. Burger. There may be more problems in the future including the way both classes will be able to participate in labs. “I’m reluctant about the ability to do laboratories. It is going to take some creative thinking on my part to make sure it happens,” said Mr. Burger. Pittsford hopes that this program will eventually go smoothly on a daily basis.Here at Pittsford we are advancing our classroom experiences through the new ITV. The school is seeing how taking this chance was a great decision that will enhance our school for years to come.
Pittsford High School is bringing in students in a new way this year.
Although physics has been a familiar class here at Pittsford for years, a new twist has been added. By using ITV technology, Pittsford’s physics class, taught by Mr. Burger, is now being viewed at North Adams-Jerome High School. Students from NA-J enrolled to take Pittsford’s physics class via television. As Mr. Burger teaches his class here at Pittsford, North Adams students are able to listen and interact with the Pittsford class. This brings different opportunities and depth to Pittsford Schools although it may include some possible challenges.The idea of the class was brought to the Pittsford administration by the Hillsdale County Intermediate School District (ISD) near the end of the 2007-2008 school year. Because there are few highly qualified physics teachers in the county, many schools can’t offer physics, so Pittsford was asked to host the class. The administration chose to take the opportunity to utilize ITV because of the many possibilities that could come of it.
Pittsford will see the benefits in many ways from choosing to broadcast their class. The Pittsford school district receives funds from NA-J that can be generated back into the school and/or physics program. “If we can broadcast (the physics class), we get money for our school district. We use that money for new books, technology, and other materials,” said high school principal Mr. Cook. The small schools in the county have only a core group of seven or eight students in their physics classes, if they can offer one at all, and combining classes would be the most reasonable idea to solve resource problems.
Students are also enjoying this new program. One positive effect that students receive is being exposed to new technology. “The technology allows us to have communication between schools,” said senior student Ben Wines. Because of that technology, interacting with previously unknown students brings new learning experiences. “It’s cool that we get to work with kids from another school because we get to look at things from a different perspective,” said physics student Maggie Chisholm.Although there were some glitches at the beginning, the program is starting to make progress and become very useful. There are still some problems, but they are continually being worked out. “Tech issues are always a problem,” said Mr. Burger. There may be more problems in the future including the way both classes will be able to participate in labs. “I’m reluctant about the ability to do laboratories. It is going to take some creative thinking on my part to make sure it happens,” said Mr. Burger. Pittsford hopes that this program will eventually go smoothly on a daily basis.Here at Pittsford we are advancing our classroom experiences through the new ITV. The school is seeing how taking this chance was a great decision that will enhance our school for years to come.
