Brewer students teach school board about PLATO

BREWER – The switching of roles between school board members and students during a demonstration of the high school’s PLATO program on Monday night included one point when the student “teachers” had to tell the adults at the back of the room to be quiet.

Five students taught Brewer school committee members and other school officials about PLATO, a computer program that allows students to work independently, helps students make up classes they have failed, or learn new skills to make them better students.

The group met in the high school PLATO lab where the adults sat at one of 15 computers and, after being taught how to log in, were told to put on headphones and take one of 33 classes offered by the program.

“I’m just really impressed with how technology can be used as a tool,” Julie Hackett, Brewer School Department director of instruction, told the board.

PLATO offerings include advanced algebra, trigonometry, social studies and vocabulary and reading comprehension that align with the high school’s curriculum. An algebra class also is being taught combining both computer and handwritten classroom work.

After the 10-minute “class” was over, the school board starting asking all sorts of questions concerning available computer unit space, how credits are earned, how to get help if there is a problem, program costs, and so on.

Mark Chambers, who served as chairman in the absence of Mark Farley, who was out of town on business, said it was good for the board to sit in the seats of students. He added that he really liked how the program showed mastery of subjects and gave students a sense of accomplishment.

The software was purchased from PLATO Learning Inc., an educational software company based in Bloomington, Minn., for about $37,000, and the school pays an annual lease to connect up to 20 computers at one time. To earn credits, students must complete 60 hours of course study and earn a minimum of 80 percent mastery on tests.

Expanding the program is something the board should be considering, school board member Jeff Taylor said.

“I think in the very near future we’ll need to address [adding] seats” and curriculum, he said.

Hearing this, Hackett added: “There is a foreign language module we’d like.”

During the meeting, the board also:

. Recognized Boy Scouts and brothers Donald Rice and Steven Rice of Troop 15 for earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

. Heard a report from school department Business Manager Lester Young about population projections and revenues at the high school for the next few years.

. Passed two policies concerning curriculum development and adoption, and student records and information, and revised a third to add dental coverage to the job of wellness coordinator.