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What teachers say about how they use Vision to inspire their students and take the stress out of teaching with computers.

Teaching Challenge: Demonstrating lessons so all students can see and hear the material

"Using Vision has changed the way I deliver classroom presentations. The demo feature of Vision enabled me to deliver more effective classroom presentations of instructional objectives. Now, I can broadcast a presentation to all computer monitors. By using the Pointer tools I can add emphasis to the presentation. Visual learners have especially benefited from this feature. The capability to enhance presentations to appeal to the needs of diverse learners in the classroom is a major benefit to me as an instructor."
- Kimberly Rotenberry, Graham High School, VA

"As a first-year business education teacher I found myself in a large room with 32 computers. Due to the design of the room, and the placement of the wiring, the computer monitors faced various directions. Some of the computers faced the back wall, some faced the front, and others faced the side walls. Demonstrating techniques or formats was very difficult. I had to explain verbally where to find icons on the various toolbars. This often resulted in confused students, reduced instructional time, and behavior problems. Vision classroom management software has not only increased the amount of instructional time but also helped with classroom behavior since there is considerably less down time between demonstrations and the start of students' work. Students are much less confused. The software has been a great benefit to my students and me."
- Joyce May, Millsboro-Sussex Central Middle School, DE

Teaching Challenge: Helping students individually on computers during busy class time

"I think the most innovative way that I use the software is to help my students edit their compositions. Using the Vision software, I can take control of an individual student's writing and then use the yellow highlighting tool to isolate sentences that need revision. With this, students get immediate feedback from me as to how to edit their writing. I can also help many more students, simultaneously, when using classroom management software."
- Janet Jelavich, Maryville High School, MO

Teaching Challenge: Managing multiple students completing lesson steps at different times

"Using Vision, an instructor can address different styles of learning by modeling, or can "freeze" all screens to discuss steps in the process being covered. The ability to monitor all student progress and control individual student computers allows a teacher to address different leaning levels and to differentiate instruction based on individual needs. Teachers can better supervise students, making sure they are on task. Vision allows teachers to monitor student performance on the required assignment. It also allows teachers to demonstrate a procedure to all students at one time, and then view students performing the task."
-Laurence Goldberg, Abington Junior High School, PA

"The Vision software from GenevaLogic is an incredible tool in the computer graphics classroom. The graphics programs used in my class have many complicated steps. The Vision software is crucial in giving the students the experience of a one-on-one lesson. It has allowed me to ensure that my students are on task during class assignments and manage more students at a given time. Students are now less likely to attempt game playing and random Internet searches. I can help one student with his project while instructing the rest of the class. My experience with the Vision software is one of extreme excitement and pleasure. Vision is a crucial tool in computer instruction; without it my class would return to a dark age of instruction."
- Laurene Sanchez, New Rochelle High School, NY

Teaching Challenge: Maximizing instructional time

"Another major challenge faced by all educators and students is the scarcity of time. GenevaLogic’s Vision helps maximize instructional time. It reduces lecture or frontal presentation time at the board, and saves repeating instructions over and over to students who did not grasp the idea the first time, since they are all able to watch the instructor perform necessary tasks on their own computer screens. Perhaps even more significant is the ability to involve any and all students in the process by allowing them to share their work without leaving their desks."
- Laurence Goldberg, Abington Junior High School, PA

"Checking MySpace, chatting, playing games, texting - these are just a few of the distractions that teachers in a computer lab face with their students. The result can be too much time spent on classroom management issues and too little time spent on preparing students for the future. Distractions result in lower achievement. Classroom management software has been the best tool provided to me in my teaching career. I spend more time teaching and less time disciplining. It prevents discipline issues and makes the classroom a more positive learning experience. I have seen an improvement in scores and an improvement in the attitude of my students. I am able to use resources that I may previously have shied away from because of the distractions they presented."
- Jennifer Wandzel, Clarenceville High School, WI

"In the course of a typical day, I instruct students from ages 5-15, all with very specific educational needs and technological challenges. As one group of students finishes its forty-five minute session, another group immediately enters for theirs. With the use of the Vision software, I was able to control the transition time between classes. It was my fear that if I relied on Vision to manage my classroom, I would lose the interaction with the students. To be honest, I like to walk around the classroom; yet, I cannot be everywhere at once. Vision allowed me to control and monitor the activity of my students while remaining accessible to them through the interactive features of the software."
- Rebecca Kinyo, Holy Guardian Angels Regional School, PA

Teaching Challenge: Helping teachers with less computer experience teach effectively using computers

"This is a great asset to the regular classroom teachers who do not use the computers as often and are not as adept at teaching with machines as our computer teachers are. With limited time in our class periods and limited computer lab facilities, we are very conscious of the efficiency of our computer lab time. With Vision software, students heed the warning to complete their work because access to the computers is shut down simultaneously, all eyes are on the instructor and his or her screen, and the instruction is given without students being off-task. No instructional time is lost to unfocused students. Time on task in class has risen and reminders to complete a task and listen to instructions never needs to be confrontational."
- Erin R. Wilcox, Colorado Springs Christian Schools, CO

Teaching Challenge: Keeping students engaged

"Vision Software supports my students' focused engagement by allowing for better teacher control of computer use. I can lock students off the Internet when it is not needed for the current activity. If students do need to use the Internet, I can see what they are all doing at one time and be able to address problems or freeze student use if needed. In addition, students are not able to go to any programs when their computers are locked. I can control students' computers so I can help them individually or form small or large groups. This is an important feature in efficiently guiding students through re-teaching skills and clearing up misunderstandings."
- Mara Jacobson & Kathy Holahan, Annandale Middle School, MN

"In a technology-based classroom, monitoring and dealing with student behaviors can be significantly more problematic than in a normal classroom setting due to the fact that students can surf the Internet, chat, e-mail and share files. As a teacher, I find I have to constantly be on the move, not only helping students, but trying to monitor student activities on the computers and keeping them on-task. Vision classroom management software allows me to be able to monitor student activity and restrict student access to the Internet when it is not necessary. As for engaging students quickly at the start of class, the software's feature that allows me to send a file to each student simultaneously is a real treasure. Being able to do this gets the students working faster and it saves me a lot of time."
- Gina M. Kidneigh, Glenrock High School, WY

"One instructor can work with several students simultaneously, watching their individual progress as well as working with each of them on specific curriculum needs. Students can communicate directly with the instructor via chat sessions and the instructor can demonstrate techniques and strategies for student success. This increases the opportunity for teacher to student contact without waiting for the teacher to ‘get around’ to the student. Having instant access to help, decreases the opportunity for behavior problems by keeping the student engaged in learning."
- Mary L. James-Cu, Carver Magnet High School, TX

Teaching Challenge: Productive use of the Internet

"One of the major challenges of using computers in the classroom and having access to the Internet is surfing the net. Most students who do this become lost in instruction and therefore fall behind. It is so exciting to have software available to me and my students which allows me to manage their activity and usage of the Internet. This software has allowed me the freedom from anxiety in dealing with surfing issues and with monitoring student screens so I can see exactly what they are doing. We can now use the Internet to research stock and retrieve into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The students were surprised when the STOP sign appeared on their screens when they were locked out of the Internet. The students know I am watching, and that I expect authentic work."
- Mrs. Barbara J. Nichols, Bosse High School, IN

"Students are so comfortable with computers, online chatting and games, that they are very easily distracted from listening to teachers and accomplishing their assigned work. Before Vision, I spent most of my class time walking my classroom, keeping students off the Internet. With Vision, I can not only see my entire classroom and what they are doing, but I can selectively block either a student's internet or stop their screen without saying a word or drawing attention to that student. On the positive side, students are particularly excited when I use their screen to show the rest of the class an assignment or well-done project. They can come up to my screen and present what they have been doing. Not only does it motivate them to be a presenter, but it also helps to develop good speaking skills."
- Judy Bargerstock, Clarenceville High School, MI

Teaching Challenge: Teaching students with varying degrees of technical skills

"I have many students that have been working with computers and technology literally since they were big enough to press the keys on the keyboard. I also have students that do not have a computer in their home and will likely never have one. In my Technology Applications classes this great diversity creates problems in planning curriculum. Being able to create student groups is making individualizing curriculum much simpler. Vision has made it possible for me to be more of a facilitator in my classroom. The students, especially the more advanced ones, are spending less time listening to information they already understand. They are able to be on the computer doing and learning more. Lots less lecture and demonstrating from me—lots more student hands-on time."
- Ms. Dana K. Kauk, Canadian Middle School,TX

"Students have a huge range of skill levels when using computers. For example, currently I have students that use the keyboard at a skill level from 15 words per minute to a high-end range of 80 words per minute. I have students that are highly trained on computers and students that get very little training on computers. This presents a huge challenge in the classroom when presenting any material since you want to teach to those students' levels while keeping the more advanced students engaged. Utilizing this software has definitely changed the way I teach as well as manage the technology in the classroom. I can easily monitor students' progress and help them in more specific areas of additional instruction. Also, as the projects progress, I can monitor the different levels that students are at and how successful the students are at getting the instruction set."
- Christine Belden, Greenwich CSD, NY

Teaching Challenge: Keeping students of diverse academic levels involved and on-task

"Educators are duty-bound to deliver a set amount of instruction within a specific time allotment and according to district-wide pacing charts and state grade level expectations and standards. This is a complicated balancing feat when students are reading below-level and are below acceptable learning levels. How can a teacher expect and ensure that all students achieve? I need to see 12 students each half-hour to accomplish my goals and objectives for writing. Using GenevaLogic classroom management software is the only way this can possibly be accomplished. I reach all of the students, keep them on track with the pacing, and produce a finished product in half the time."
- Saranne Benson, Macomb Elementary School, MI

"There are so many wonderful aspects of computers in the classroom as well as immense challenges to make sure we are really using computers to increase student outcomes. I have an adaptive class with special-need students. Vision has been great to allow all students to again visually see what is they should be working on as well as allowing me, as their instructor, to view their workstations to see when they are stuck or may need assistance. The classroom that I work in has computer workstations behind the instructor station so this software is a great management tool to use our time wisely in the lab."
- Robin McLeish, Monroe High School, WI

"I have been able to, through teacher demonstration on selected students' screens, work simultaneously with students who have similar learning needs. Students now remain more engaged in class activities due to the new ability to work collaboratively with the teacher or other groups of students at a specific comprehension level. Sending targeted messages to individual students, or groups of students, has also allowed me to continually challenge all learners in the classroom. Expectations and requirements can change instantly based on the observation of each student's performance. Our district's Technological Literacy course has been able to take a leap forward in differentiated instruction through constant assessment of student progress throughout the curriculum."
- Brian DeBoer, Mount Arlington Public School, NJ

Teaching Challenge: Helping students feel comfortable requesting assistance

"Vision's chat sessions are essential for private communication between individual students and teacher. Communication continues with each student throughout the class period. Students feel more comfortable asking for help and taking risks by way of communicating with me privately. This one-to-one communication between student and teacher can only lead to the improvement of student achievement, performance and accountability."
- Teri Paulk, Coffee Middle School, GA

Teaching Challenge: Creating a student-centered, high-tech learning environment

"One of the aspects of the software that surprised me in an unexpectedly good way was the ability to turn students' computers into the teaching computer. In my programming class, students will often solve programming challenges in different ways. The students loved it when I would turn them into the virtual teacher and they could explain their program to their classmates. Not only was it a motivational tool, but also I found that students would understand concepts for the first time having someone other than myself explain and demonstrate their solution."
- Traci Trimbach, Colorado Springs Christian Middle School, CO

"Classroom management software has allowed me to abandon the traditional role of teacher as ‘sage on the stage’ and adopt a more student-centered position of ‘guide on the side.’ Direct instruction can still take place, but has been dramatically improved. By sharing my screen, every student can literally see the instruction rather than just imagining it. The benefits of peer interaction are well known, and by showcasing the screens of students who have mastered a task and having them provide the dialogue, all students benefit. This has also been a great help instructing other teachers—a workshop was conducted in my room and sharing the speaker's screen allowed for a more personal and meaningful experience."
- Charles Lunetta, Merrill F. West High School, CA

"Classroom presentations have become a piece of cake. I simply project a particular student's work on the screen and the entire class can see and benefit from a single student's work. My students enjoy being able to view other student's work. They are learning a great deal by sharing their projects and knowing how easily I can showcase their work has put additional pressure on them to do their best. Using Vision has drastically improved my students' productivity and quality of work, creating a learning environment that is more efficient and more academically challenging. As an instructor, I love the ability to be able to monitor all of my student's progress while assisting individual students with questions that arise."
- Mrs. Jennifer K. Krueger, Little Wolf High School, WI

Teaching Challenge: Ensuring library computers are used appropriately

"It is my job to monitor all computer activity and maintain the books in the library. I am the only adult in the library. At lunchtime I have as many as 80 students at once to monitor. They are savvy enough to get around district firewalls by using foreign languages, changing passwords and breaking administrative codes. They watch inappropriate videos, play games and visit inappropriate web sites. Additionally, the library computers are scattered throughout the library, making it impossible for me to keep track of the students' behavior on the computers. It is virtually impossible for me to watch every movement of the students. Vision is my answer. I have been able to remove students without using security, without yelling, without embarrassment - just with a click of my mouse. Wow, what a dream come true."
- Lorraine Wiener, Inglewood High School Librarian, CA

"As a Library Media Specialist, computer technology opens up the walls of the Library Media Center and provides a wealth of information to our students and teachers. However, it is not always the educational information that the students are after. Unfortunately, the most common challenge of educators is keeping their students on task. As lessons are being taught, many times, students are surfing the web. Some have become quite savvy at opening the appropriate window on the computer when teachers walk by to monitor the classroom. Vision virtually eliminates this challenge. Once the students realize that you really do have control and that the teacher can see what they see, they decide they better get to work and stay on task. It is an awesome tool for educators."
- Allison Whitney, Kempsville High School, VA

"The challenges presented by the presence of computers in school libraries can be overwhelming for all but the most energetic and technologically savvy person. There is the challenge of teaching students to use appropriate Internet search techniques. Vision has been used to address these concerns. After having introduced specific search techniques to students, I can leave them to practice on their own. As I work at the main desk on different tasks I glance at the live classroom supervision mode and am able to ascertain whether or not the students are incorporating the new techniques into their search strategies. Since the computers in our library are quite distant from the main desk having the Vision software saves time, enabling me to assist students at the desk while observing others at the computers."
- Sylvia Wiebe, Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute, MB Canada

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