Sponsored by JTM Concepts, INC.

"Innovative Solutions"

May 25, 2003 12:08 PM
By Robin J. Youngblood, Staff writer

ROCK ISLAND -- Imagine a student studying the planet earth using only a computer screen.

A defined three-dimensional depiction of the globe, with high mountains and extended coral reefs, hovers in mid-air in the middle of the classroom. The teacher slowly rotates the globe so students can see the planet's many geographic surfaces.

Students will soon start learning many subjects using Classroom Cubed, technology developed by
JTM Concepts Inc. in Rock Island.

Biology, chemistry, anatomy, mechanics and other subjects will be among the first taught to high school students using a stereo-optic screen, which produces 3-D images.

The school board will see a demonstration at its meeting at 5:30 p.m. May 27 in the high school library. That same day, high school biology teachers and students will take turns viewing the all-day demonstration. Classroom Cubed will be tailored eventually to serve more grade levels.

Jim Noord of JTM, who writes the programs for Classroom Cubed, also will train Western Illinois University students to write programs that coordinate with the curriculum. JTM expects 3-D learning can teach any curriculum, including non-graphic subjects, such as reading, writing or speech.

School board member Jim Gremanis, who oversees the project for the board, expressed excitement about the district's new initiative.

``I think I just saw an opportunity to teach kids better and faster,'' he said.

Mr. Gremanis, teachers and administrators are still looking for money to pay for the million-dollars Classroom Cubed.

The school district, WIU at Macomb and JTM are collaborating on grant applications to pay for the project. WIU professors Martin Maskarinec and Kathleen Neumann are helping to write the application for a prestigious National Science Foundation grant. They will know in the fall if it is granted, Mr. Gremanis said.

Meanwhile, Rocky students' 3-D lessons should begin this fall if the grants are approved, he said.

Better and faster is just the start of how students can learn concepts using this technology, said teachers previewing the program last week.

``For one thing,'' said Rocky earth science and biology teacher Lori Anderson, ``it will grab their attention because they're so used to playing video games.''

Her students began using technology when they were younger. Incorporating it into the curriculum will be a natural progression, she said.

Rocky science teachers Courtney Stone, Ben Kirgan and Ms. Anderson will help present Classroom Cubed to the board this week.

They watched the screen, envisioning what the program could do for the classroom. They were learning how to navigate inside the inner ear.

The program also shows a human skeleton, the digestive system, the tomb of King Tut and DNA strands.

``What I'm looking forward to is being able to tilt the earth and shine the sun on it to demonstrate the seasons,'' Ms. Anderson said.

``This is where our kids are really going to trip out,'' she added as Mr. Stone moved toward the 3-D earth so it seemed to be right in front of them.

And they will be learning.

Staff writer Robin Youngblood can be reached at (309) 786-6441, ext. 257, or by e-mail at robiny@qconline.com.

Copyright 2002, Moline Dispatch Publishing Co.

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