Visit to ACCESS Lab

Keller, Crystal and I visited an ACCESS lab at Satsuma High School on November 17, 2008. Mrs. Jennifer Philips was the facilitator of the lab. She explained to us the difference between an ACCESS lab facilitator and an ACCESS teacher. Her job as an ACCESS facilitator intels keeping the students on task, emailing the teachers concerning the progress of the students and entering grades. The teacher of an ACCESS lab is responsible for teaching the class and grading the work turned in to him/her.



All students at the Satsuma High School are required to take at least one ACCESS class before graduating. ACCESS classes are offered in German, Latin, history, and creative writing. Ms Philips stated that the ACCESS classes are conducted much like a regular class. Students can do work they do not complete in class at home, but quizzes and test must be done in class. The ACCESS classes are designed for students to work at their on pace.



Each child is assigned a numbered computer and is expected to use it through out the semester. Ms Philips said that the students have done well staying disciplined and on course. If the students do not complete their class, it will be counted as a failure just like a regular class.


When working with languages the students hook up microphones to their computers. This allows the students to practice their language skills as the computer corrects them. When asked if the students like the ACCESS language classes, Ms Philips said that they seemed to like them and do well with them.