Last May, the Lake Forest High School Foundation awarded nearly $75,000 toward faculty grant requests for programs and projects designed to enhance, enrich, and supplement learning opportunities for LFHS students, staff and community. As the Foundation awaits a flurry of student-initiated and faculty and administration-sponsored requests for 2006-07, we present this impressive follow-up to one of last year’s grants.

The request submitted by LFHS math teacher Dan Coad for software to more effectively lead classroom instruction of math and science concepts was especially impressive during the grant process because of its impact on teaching and learning effectiveness, the number of students that would be affected by its use, and its reasonable cost. The requested TI-SmartView™ Software license for the TI-84 Plus family of calculators can be used during interactive presentations with students.

This software emulates the calculators already in use by students, and compliments classroom instruction by projecting an interactive representation of the calculator on the blackboard. Adding to its effectiveness as a teaching aid, the classroom does not have to be dark for the image to appear, allowing students to view both the projection and the work they’re doing at their desks simultaneously.

When asked whether the software met the math department’s expectations, Mr. Coad answered, “Yes, absolutely. It’s easy for every teacher to use. The software is now in every math classroom, and has been loaded on every computer.” Popular with teachers and students alike, the software benefits students at all math levels, including AP classes. LFHS junior Alex Munoz remarks, “It helps students understand concepts more quickly.”