The eighth grade students in Mr. Dan Jones’ class at Richland Academy may be learning about history right now, but they made history themselves on Tuesday by becoming the very first class to participate in a Skype learning session with the U.S. Capitol.
Ellen Stanton of the United States Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. spoke with Jones’ class on Tuesday, noting she was excited about the opportunity to speak to students for the first time via video chat.
“We’d been thinking about it but hadn’t made our first step yet, so we’re so pleased that you made this call and we couldn’t have been more excited to have this opportunity,” Stanton said to Jones. “I want to thank you for your teaching skills, for your excellent classroom and the questions your students had and their use of primary sources.”
Stanton covered a variety of topics in her hour-long video call, including the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, the daily workings of Congress, and the Capitol Building. She stated she was very impressed with the questions asked by Jones’ students.
“It really is an inspiration to all of us here at the Capitol: your knowledge of Congress and your interest in the subject,” said Stanton.
This is the second time this school year Jones has utilized Skype to bring the experts of Washington D.C. to his classroom. In November, students were able to chat about the Declaration of Independence with Missy McNatt, Education Specialist for the National Archives. The lessons come as a result of Jones’ “Charters of Freedom” unit, and as part of his effort to bring an “authentic experience” to his students.
“I wanted them to hear a voice from someone other than me that was a professional working at places in Washington D.C.,” said Jones. “They’ve been able to ask questions that are not necessarily things you can find on the Internet. By asking actual professionals questions to really help them understand the documents more clearly, they’re able to understand the importance of the documents and it gives them a better overall understanding of what we’re covering in class and the importance of it.”
Jones noted he was proud of his students for their focus and their deeper-thinking questions, and in turn the students were impressed with Stanton’s answers.
“She answered a lot of questions we couldn’t find on the Internet, and also she’s in Washington D.C. and we’re in Mansfield so it was nice to talk to someone that knew more,” said eighth grader Talaisha Elder. “I was surprised about how much she knew even though she’s not like, the president.”
“I feel it shows a different perspective,” said eighth grader Caleb Butler. “When we read from the textbook or online we have these weird sources and we can hardly understand or comprehend it. Not only did she explain it to us in more simpler terms than reading advanced college work that we have a hard time understanding as an eighth grader, we also got to see a spin on her view of it because she works there.”
Jones stated the opportunity to Skype with the U.S. Capitol has “fueled the fire” for other distance learning possibilities – even the idea of the Skyping with the White House.
“I was excited to know that we were going to learn from a professional who works at the Capitol, and hoping she could put a good word in so we could talk to the president or someone who works with him in the White House,” said eighth grader Brandon Dixon.
“I think it would be really cool to talk to someone like the president or who works with the president, and get more information about all the branches,” added eighth grader Michal Taylor.
“Distance learning is really the future of education, because not everyone can travel to Washington D.C. or to California,” said Jones. “If we can bring those experiences to our students, they’re going to be better for it. The fact that we’re able to essentially make history with the U.S. Capitol, it’s exciting.”
“Not only did she explain it to us in more simpler terms than reading advanced college work that we have a hard time understanding as an eighth grader, we also got to see a spin on her view of it because she works there,” said student Caleb Butler.
