The T2 (Teaching and Technology) program at Missouri Military Academy is the newest effort at integrating the latest instructional technology into the classroom. Smartboards, Senteo interactive response systems, SynchronEyes classroom software and tablet PC’s are some of the technologies currently in use across the Academy’s curriculum.
Implementing Smartboards has created a productive learning environment for teachers and students alike. By displaying information from the Internet on the Smartboard, instructors can manipulate the information so that it conforms to the lesson. Moreover, mathematical software, such as Geometer’s Sketchpad and Virtual Dissection allows students to work on geometric and scientific concepts through Smartboard use.
The Senteo interactive system can be integrated with MicroSoft Powerpoint and Smartboard Notebook Software to create test assessments. The system is also designed to collect individualized responses from each student and provide immediate feedback. This allows teachers to conduct formal and informal assessments frequently due to the speed in which the student responses are collected, checked, and then displayed.
Using SynchronEyes software, teachers provide instructions, monitor computer screens, assess student’s performance, provide individualized feedback and control access to applications and the internet from his or her computer; it brings flexibility to teaching and incorporates personalized and collaborative learning into everyday lessons directly from the teacher’s desktop. The program also allows the teacher's or student's screen to be broadcasted to every desktop in the class so information can be shared.
The tablet PC, with its advanced communication ability and handwriting recognition software, replaces traditional teaching practices. Imagine a classroom where students walk into class, turn on their tablet PC, login to the school network, take notes using a digital pen, complete homework and send it to the teacher using the school’s web mail. This facilitates better organization since it eliminates the need for multiple binders and loose papers.