Technological Teaching Debbie Garnett Says Using Computers In The Class Levels Out The ‘Playing Field’ For All Students

Post Falls schools

For the past three years, Ponderosa Elementary School has received the Excellence in Education Award presented by the Idaho Education Association.

Ponderosa is one of only six schools in Idaho to be invited to participate in the KEYS program (Keys to Excellence for Your Schools).

One of the many areas in which the school demonstrates its commitment to high goals, professional development and resources that support teaching and learning is in the area of technology.

Earlier this week, Ponderosa third-grade teacher Debbie Garnett and her students clustered around a computer and television screen.

Scanned photographs flash by of moons and the planets, from Mercury to Jupiter, and of the astronomers who discovered them. Words appear, accompanied by background music, describing sizes, distances from earth, nature of orbits and more.

The process of putting the information together into a computerized presentation that all the parents would see when they came to school for parent-teacher conferences has occupied many classroom hours.

Garnett was a special education teacher for eight years. She has taught third grade for the past 13 years. Studying the planets is part of the state-mandated third-grade science curriculum.

In the past, Garnett’s students have used the computer lab for word processing, math and reading games. Now they have a real purpose for using the computers.

Instead of having the students use pen and paper for their science reports, she introduced them to the use of a computer program called Powerpoint. This included the use of a digital camera and a scanner provided by the PTO.

The students worked cooperatively to solve the problems of creating a story board, using audio clips, editing, choosing colors, font size and layout.

Garnett emphasized that the software is a tool they can use in many settings. She watched as her students began to learn independently and work cooperatively.

Garnett noticed how the use of computers “equalizes the playing field” for the students. She thought that a visitor to the class would not be able to tell which students might have learning problems from watching them work. She said that someone who is not a good reader is just as capable at solving problems.

Garnett only recently learned to use the presentation software herself. She believes it is valuable for students to realize that education is a life-long process. She tries to stay one step ahead of her students but admits that she learns at least as much from them as they do from her.

“They can see that adults are continuing to learn and don’t know it all,” said Garnett. “We don’t know all the answers but can find a way to figure it out.”

She noticed how the students have grown more professional in their outlook. “They did a lot of work and it was worth it when they saw the end product.”

To find out more about the KEYS Program or the use of technology in the classroom call Ponderosa Principal Bob Sloyka at 773-1508.

In other school district news

Prairie View Elementary School is sending four teams to the Idaho State Odyssey of the Mind Competition. The meet is today at Moscow Junior High School.

Odyssey of the Mind is a worldwide organization that promotes creative thinking and problem solving. Teams have been practicing spontaneous problem solving and creating solutions to specific longterm problems for months.

The Post Falls teams will be joined by several other teams from the area, including Spirit Lake, Lakeland Junior High, Lakeland High, Timberlake and Garfield.

Coeur d’Alene School District’s Fernan Elementary, Hayden Meadows Elementary, Canfield Middle School, and last year’s state champions from Woodland Middle School also will be competing.

For more information about Odyssey of the Mind, call JoAnn Curtis at the Post Falls District Office, at 773-1658 or Jane Fallon, Odyssey of the Mind State Director at (208) 882-1392.