STRONG – Five eighth-graders took an algebra I skills quiz given by their teacher in a classroom located miles away in Salem Township on Thursday.

The voice of teacher Brian Twitchell could be heard, and he and his freshmen class at Mt. Abram High School could be seen on a television screen in Strong as he gave instructions. Those in Salem could also see and hear the Strong students.

Twitchell gave them 10 minutes to complete the quiz.

In the Strong classroom, Title I teacher Chee Rothschild had asked the kids to spread apart. One moved to a back table and another to a table beside the one he had been sitting at. Then each of the eighth-graders worked quietly at separate tables.

They finished the quiz well before the 10 minutes clicked away on a clock shown on a Smart Board connected to Twitchell’s interactive white board.

SAD 58 is using the technology, including the interactive video-conference system, to help students located in other schools in the district take classes at a more advanced level.

Twitchell carried a portable white board around with him and wrote answers to the quiz on the board. A little red pencil is seen doing the writing and Twitchell’s voice explains everything he does.

Rothschild checked with Strong pupils to see if they had questions about the answers.

Eighth-grader Josh Beedy said he came up with different answer.

Twitchell went over the math and discovered his computer spread sheet had an error. Beedy was right; the answer on the board was wrong.

Twitchell continued to teach and Rothschild pointed out items to pay attention to, including explanations of variables and constants.

Twitchell reviewed homework students were given, going over equations on the board, asking students questions and at times pulling up a graphing-calculator on the white board to show how the answer was reached.

Twitchell wrote an equation on the cost of a telephone call, and Strong pupil Caulin Logan said he came up with a different way. Twitchell checked Logan’s equation and they both worked.

“Very good, Strong,” Twitchell said.

There is a slight delay in transmission at times but the kids said they don’t mind.

“It’s an interesting way of doing things,” Jazmin Knapp said. “Sometimes we get bored when we know the problems but realize (Mr. Twitchell) has to explain them.”

If they didn’t take the algebra I class this way, Knapp said, they would have to do an independent study.

“I think this is better for us, learning-wise,” Knapp said. “We don’t feel disadvantaged with him not being here.”

They can talk to Twitchell through the interactive system, call him, e-mail him or go up to the high school talk to him, she said.

“It’s like being in the classroom,” Zanella agreed.

Twitchell said after class that it’s interesting teaching over the video system.

“I find it hard at times to remember to ‘check in’ with the kids in Strong to see if they have questions – they have to be more willing to speak out and ask questions if they have some than someone in my own class,” Twitchell said. “I don’t think it is as ideal as having a teacher live in the classroom, but it certainly is better than them not having the option to take the course at all.”

Strong students are getting high school credits for the class.