High Bringing the world a little closer is the focus of World Geography students at Arlington, Lamar, and Sam Houston High Schools in Arlington. In addition, technology is integrated into every class. Gail Howard's classroom is unique in that it is a distance learning lab where these three Arlington ISD high schools are linked together at once via a telecommunications system that is connected through Region 11 ESC's distance learning network.
Students interact simultaneously in three-way video and audio communications.
Therefore, in this classroom, not only do students see and hear the teacher, they also exchange their own perspectives on global events as they explore the regions and cultures studied in World Geography. Emphasis in this class is on integrating social studies and technology skills with concepts and facts of the world beyond Arlington, working either cooperatively or independently while learning and applying the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Ms. Howard has taught other social studies subjects using this innovative technology, including sociology, psychology, American Cultures. However, a need for World Geography several years ago created an ideal use of the technology and an exciting alternative for students to discover the global community in which they live. Juniors and seniors from a myriad of learning abilities are selected in one school, while another school limits the course to freshmen entering high school who have proven themselves to be independent, self-motivated learners.