What’s Possible for Appalachia’s Schools When Internet Isn’t an Issue

Lynn Camp High School Teacher Jonathan Stephens with student Alex

Lynn Camp High School Teacher Jonathan Stephens

Teach for America teacher Jonathan Stephens at Lynn Camp uses multiple tools in his classroom while teaching students, including a smartboard and a ladibug, an HD camera that allows Jonathan to stream video of his textbook, live demonstrations and more via the smartboard.  Assignments become electronic as he uses Google Classroom to assign work and even gamify advanced subjects like AP Chemistry for his students.

Stephens appears in the organization’s latest publication,  “What’s Possible for Appalachia’s Schools When Internet Isn’t an Issue” , as he tells how access to high speed internet and devices change teaching and learning in the Knox County schools.

Lynn Camp High School Teacher Jonathan Stephens with student Alex

It also helps educators, who always have a ton of work on their plate, operate more efficiently. Jonathan calls Google Classroom his “pot of gold.” He also loves GradeCam, an app that tracks student test scores and progress.

“If you’re waiting for all the teachers to get their data in excel and make a graph, it’s just not going to happen,” Jonathan explains. “But with the app, you can take a picture and it grades the test instantly. It provides some really nice data as far as your bell curves and how students are doing.”

With all of this technology, Jonathan can spend less time grading and more time teaching. It also gives Jonathan valuable insights into which parts of the curriculum students are excelling in and which parts they may need additional help with.

Read the entire article at: https://www.teachforamerica.org/stories/whats-possible-for-appalachias-schools-when-internet-isnt-an-issue

Photos by Jacob Biba