Five representatives of Staunton City Schools will tour maker facilities at JMU 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, and sit in on a class where pre-service teachers are learning how to use maker technology in mathematics teaching.
Mathematics Professor Laura Taalman and education Professor Geoff Estes are leading the graduate class where they are teaching how maker technology can be used to generate understanding through hands-on instruction. The students have math degrees and are now earning master’s degrees in teaching.
The Staunton representatives are interested in seeing new methods for teaching math. Maker technology can lead to better understanding and increased performance by students; and increased retention rates of math teachers.
Representing Staunton City Schools will be:
- Dr. Michael Ormsmith, instructional supervisor
- Mr. Tom Lundquist, director of technology
- Ms. Kaitlin Ilnitzky, technology teacher, Shelburne Middle School
- Ms. Ashton Girolmo, technology teacher, Shelburne Middle School
- Mr. Shane Leedy, technology teacher, R.E. Lee High School
The maker space and the class take place in Lakeview Hall (formerly WVPT) at the Port Republic Road entrance to campus. The address is 298 Port Republic Road, Harrisonburg.