GALLOWAY, New Jersey—Students in an honors calculus class at Absegami High School recently had the chance to step into their teacher's shoes. By designing distance-learning lessons in fractions, percentages, graphs, and polygons for elementary students, the high schoolers first had to have a good grasp of the subject matter. "By teaching younger kids," reflected one student, "we've taught ourselves something."

The distance-learning project was developed by math teacher Kathleen Willson during a year she spent as a Tech Fellow through a statewide technology integration project.

Willson describes how the project unfolded: "Students worked in teams of three to four to create a lesson, quiz, and video. They used the Web to research the subject they selected and then created a lesson using electronic presentation software. Along with a question-and-answer session, each 30-40 minute lesson was presented to a class through the school's distance-learning equipment." High school teaching groups connected via videoconferencing equipment to K-6 classrooms all over the state.

Willson says the project accomplished several learning goals, including encouraging presentation skills, promoting statewide standards, encouraging distance learning, using videoconferencing equipment, and fostering the use of technology skills. "This really opened a new door in the learning process," said one student. "We've been able to explain to younger kids what math is and how important it is." Not only that, the student added, "being able to learn from someone miles away is amazing."

Absegami High is a suburban school serving a culturally diverse population of 2,000, but the honors calculus class has only 16 students. Students made use of a wireless Internet lab during the research stage of their project. Most students also have access to a computer at home.

For Willson, the chance to step away from her traditional classroom duties and work on special projects like this one was a highlight of her year as a Tech Fellow. "This gave me time to develop resources, collaborate with colleagues, and play with projects."

The 20 Tech Fellows were selected through a competitive application process. They are considered outstanding classroom teachers who effectively use technology in classroom instruction. The grant-funded project is designed to give them time to mentor and model their practices throughout the state. More information about what the Tech Fellows have accomplished is available from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Technology Consortium, or MAR*TEC (www.temple.edu/martec/techmentors/
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