ACCESS Labs

I went to Mary G. Montgomery High School in Semmes and was fortunate enough to be able to view their ACCESS lab. The psychology teacher, and ACCESS instructor, Mr. Rose gave us a tour of the lab as well as let us talk to some other teachers who have had experience with it. I will admit I was a little skeptical of how well this would work but it actually seems like a very good setup. I wondered how well the students would be able to hear and see classes broadcast from other locations, and vice versa, but Mr. Rose showed us how clearly you are able to view all the other members of the class. With just one button click you can zoom into a certain part of the classroom to make sure a student is paying attention. He also showed us the state of the art microphones that are set up in the class to make the auditory as clear as it would be if the student was actually in the classroom. It was also very easy to connect with another classroom. He pulled up a menu on the computer, pushed the tab for Murphy High School and within seconds we were connected with their ACCESS lab.
We also got to see the students who were taking ACCESS courses come in and prepare for class. Each one has their own personal laptop, kept at school, which they retrieve and take to their desk. They knew exactly what they were supposed to do. They keep up with what they are supposed to be doing completely online. Much like online classes at South, the teachers post their assignments, lecture notes, etc. for the students and they take their tests online as well. Each class has an instructor and a facilitator who keeps the students on task. That is the one drawback (or asset depending on how you look at is) of ACCESS. Students have to be very self-disciplined to get all of their work done and not fall behind. I know many college students struggle with online classes because they are not structured like they are accustomed to, but this can also teach students responsibility.
Mr. Rose also told us how difficult it can be to break into teaching ACCESS courses. First of all, you have to teach something that is somewhat unique. Is is unlikely schools don't have English or History teachers, but when you get into Psychology and Physics you start finding schools that aren't able to provide all of those courses. You also have to make sure the teacher is well trained in all the aspects of using ACCESS. Not all teachers are familiar with this type of technology so you have to make sure the instructors are able to handle any technical difficulties that might arise. Dr. Rose told us that regardless of whether you teach using ACCESS or not, teachers today must learn how to teach with technology. Students are becoming more and more creatures of the electronic age and, as teachers, we must be able to relate to them. Using technology is a way to make teaching more interesting and it can open doors that chalkboards and paper and pencil never could.
Going to see the ACCESS labs was very informative and eye-opening. You realize that this will be what you are doing, maybe not in an ACCESS lab but in some form, in a very short time. I think it is exciting to be a prospective teacher during this time. There are so many possibilities and we are getting the opportunity to view them firsthand before we enter the classroom.