Technology & Learning - September 2008 - (Page 50)

LEADEROFTHEYEAR She’s Got Game By T&L Editors Debby Martin knew she had something when she saw that community colleges were offering game design courses. “Once that happened it was time for high schools to jump in,” says Martin, who teaches business and technology classes at Phoebus High School (PHS) in Hampton, VA. Whether teaching Web design or prepping students for the latest industry certification, Martin strives to stay one step ahead of the market her students are entering. So once the idea for an Introduction to Video Gaming class took hold, there was pretty much no stopping her. The class kicked off last year with a curriculum focusing on four areas: the history of computer programming, including major companies and programmers in the field; an introduction to the Java programming language; training on Game Maker software; and instruction in Alice—a 3-D programming environment developed by Carnegie Mellon researchers with novice programmers in mind (Carnegie Mellon offers free downloads of Alice software along with teaching materials at www.alice.org.) “My vision for the class is the same as that of the creators of Alice,” says Martin. “To ‘head fake’ students into learning a difficult subject matter by providing an exciting, engaging environment to learn in.” The classes are business electives that students choose to take as part of their school day. The Web design classes (Web Page Design, Advanced Web Page Design) and Introduction to Video Gaming classes are “dual enrollment” classes, which means students take classes at the high school and earn college credit from the local community college. In addition, the Web design classes provide an industry certification exam if they pass the course. Martin reports that students responded positively to the class in its inaugural year. She’s expecting even greater outcomes this year after training this summer—thanks to a National Science Foundation grant—with two computer science professors who support educators’ use of Alice software: Susan Rodgers of Duke University and Don Slater of Carnegie Mellon. Martin encountered some initial resistance to the classes. Some were worried kids would be sitting around playing video games all class. Others were concerned that the games created would have violence, blood, and gore. But once she made er, Debby Martin, Business Education Teach School, Hampton City Schools, Phoebus High Hampton, VA l in School Snapshot: 1480-student high schoo poverty rate; designated district with high school for nearby Army base. her case that it was an effective way to introduce students to computer programming/computer science, the idea took off. “Now I teach the other teachers at the other high schools the course so that they would be prepared to offer this course this coming year,” she says. Martin’s core belief is that learning is most powerful when it pairs real-world application with community involvement. Nowhere is this better illustrated than in her Advanced Web Page Design class. Last year the class approached a local homeless shelter (www.helphouse.org) to see if it might like a Web makeover. The nonprofit happily accepted, and with that, the “Building Bridges to the Community” project was born. By year’s end students had built 10 Web sites for community organizations, including one for the local Kiwanis club that won a state award. Given Martin’s accomplishments, it’s not unexpected that she was named Hampton City Schools’ 2007 teacher of the year. What is surprising, however, is that she was once herself a struggling student, enlisting in the Air Force before graduating from high school and becoming a single mother at the age of 19. “I know that when a student acts out it could be because of the other things they bring to school with them: family problems, financial hardships, and even homelessness,” says Martin. “I cheer them on and let them know that no matter how bleak things may look now, it is something they can learn from.” Learn more at: www.phoebushighschool.com LAST BYTE: “I REALLY BELIEVE THAT IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO TEACH STUDENTS HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR LIFE, NOT JUST WEB PAGE DESIGN OR VIDEO GAME DESIGN.” 50 | TECH & LEARNING http://www.helphouse.org http://www.alice.org http://www.phoebushighschool.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Technology & Learning - September 2008

Technology & Learning 9/08 Contents Editor’s Desk News & Trends Put to the Test Lessons on Leadership What, You Worry? Back Office Business How to Get your MEd Online What’s New Student Response Systems Get Smarter Leader of the Year Profile: She’s Got Game

Technology & Learning - September 2008

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