Compass Lab Brings Computers to Entire School
Maynardville Elementary School teachers in the Compass Computer Lab are Debbie Gillenwater and Martha Warwick.
Director of Schools
Dr. Jim Pratt (right) checks out the Compass Computer Lab at a recent
Community Night at Maynardville Elementary School. Standing is Union County
Schools tech supervisor Wayne Goforth. Working on the computer is
kindergarten student Caitlyn Carroll.
An innovation at Maynardville Elementary School is the Compass Computer Lab, operated in two large classrooms in what was formerly the administrative offices for Union County Schools.
Kids must march across the playground for quite some distance to reach the lab, but most find the hike worthwhile.
Veteran teachers Martha Warwick and Debbie Gillenwater work full-time in the lab, and students are rotated in for 45-minute sessions every third day.
Each child logs in, and the computer software pops up an individualized lesson plan for him or her. The younger children wear earphones so reading directions is not necessary. The kids resemble the crew of the Starship Enterprise.
Kindergarten students in the first month were able to walk in, sit down and begin their lesson. Warwick and Gillenwater had made name plates for each one so they could type in their name using the old hunt and peck method.
The individualized lesson plans are crucial, Warwick said, because there could be a fourth grader on a first grade reading level. The software monitors each child’s progress, advancing them when they are ready to move.
In addition, Warwick and Gillenwater review the children’s progress and consult with their teacher to help each student progress rapidly.
The software and 51 computers were purchased two or three years ago, but were used in the classrooms, according to Warwick, who worked most recently as assistant principal at MES. “All students were not getting the full benefit, so we established the lab.”
Compass tutorials are in reading, language and math. In addition, the computers are wired so that students can access the Internet (with multiple filters, said Gillenwater). They also contain the Golden Book Encyclopedia, a typing tutorial and a neat program donated by the Southeastern Conference.
The SEC program allows students to select their favorite team (say, Vols), favorite sport (say, football) and either math or language. The student, again operating at their personal level, answers questions. Correct answers result in a completed pass downfield for 10 yards; incorrect answers lead to a loss of yards. The game is fast-paced and so exciting that for a minute you could forget that you’re learning math.
Parents, grandparents and community members can test their skills on the computers during Community Nights, held on most Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m. The upcoming schedule is: Oct. 29, first grade; Nov. 11, second; Nov. 19, third, Nov. 25, fourth and fifth. Kindergarten night was Oct. 22.
“It’s more interesting to watch the grown-ups than the students,” Gillenwater said. “Everything is new to many adults, while the children just expect it (to work).”
In addition, Gillenwater and Warwick, both Career Ladder teachers on extended contract, hold after-school labs from 3:15 to 4:15 each Monday for kindergarten and first grade; each Tuesday for second and third grades; and Wednesday and Thursday for fourth and fifth grades.
“We just open the doors and the students come in,” Gillenwater said.
Debbie Gillenwater is a 27-year veteran teacher with 25 years at Maynardville Elementary. She previously taught first grade.
Martha Warwick is a 33-year veteran with 32 years at MES. She taught first and seventh grades and was vice principal.
– Sandra Clark - Halls Shopper