I lucked out with the timing of this project. The week I was collecting most of my data for my report happened to be the week we got new computers installed. I was able to pick the brains of the District Technology Coordinator and his assistant at length. While researching, it was discovered that the students and parents had not signed the computer use agreement. Since then, the students have read through the document as a class and have gotten the proper signatures.
The Technology Standards set in place are quite comprehensive. In Levels 5, 6 and 7 the students find the standards challenging because most of them do not have the luxury of playing around on computers at home. Most every student enjoys computer work, though, and we use the lure of extra computer time as an incentive for students to work on their standards. I have found that I need to work on the standards as well. What are the basic principles of a Local Area Network and a Wide Area Network, anyway? (Level 6, standard 2)
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Article Summary #1
Overview
In the article, Listen to the Natives, Marc Prensky encourages educators across the country to step out of their comfort zone, abandon the old ideas of content oriented teaching and let the "digital natives" learn from the technology they are so adept at using. He argues for the inclusion of modern technology in every level of learning, pointing out that other countries are already using cellular phones as learning tools while we are banning them in public schools. Prensky goes on to say that effective teaching must include collaboration with the students since they have a stronger grasp on current technology. Doing so would give flexibility and adaptivity to instruction, thereby capitalizing on every student's individual needs.
Quick Reference Points
1. Students generally have a far better understanding of current technological advances than do their teachers.
2. Letting students learn electronically would provide the engagement and motivation that is lacking in present day schools.
3. Since computers, calculators, MP3 Players, camera phones and the like are extensions of a student's brain, evaluating them without these tools does not make much sense.
4. Programming is a key skill that most students already possess but should be allowed to have their knowledge expanded through a peer-led or expert taught class.
5. Most of the real learning happens after school, when students are allowed uninhibited access to technology.
6. Students are becoming more active consumers of their education and their voice is resoundingly clear - the old ways are unacceptable. A technology oriented classroom and curriculum is needed if students are to remain engaged within the confines of a school building.
Reflection
I found this article quite interesting and some valid points were made. However, teaching in rural Alaska, the meaning of native issues is quite different. Students out here would hardly refer to themselves as "digital natives." Most do not have computers at home, some do not have phones and, of course, there are no mobile phones. But their desire to use computers is obvious, even though they lack many of the skills mentioned in the article. I am glad for this, because even though I continue to be amazed at the innovations in technology, I still have a tendency to keep it at bay. One of the reasons I moved out here. I am the educator the author kept generally referring to. I do not think a computer can compensate for the human connection and I do not think that students should have unlimited access to anything they want. They would have a hard time integrating into the working world, where that is hardly the case. Much can be learned and accomplished using the tools of technology, but a balance must be in place between learning from people, books and nature and the new ways of technology.
In the article, Listen to the Natives, Marc Prensky encourages educators across the country to step out of their comfort zone, abandon the old ideas of content oriented teaching and let the "digital natives" learn from the technology they are so adept at using. He argues for the inclusion of modern technology in every level of learning, pointing out that other countries are already using cellular phones as learning tools while we are banning them in public schools. Prensky goes on to say that effective teaching must include collaboration with the students since they have a stronger grasp on current technology. Doing so would give flexibility and adaptivity to instruction, thereby capitalizing on every student's individual needs.
Quick Reference Points
1. Students generally have a far better understanding of current technological advances than do their teachers.
2. Letting students learn electronically would provide the engagement and motivation that is lacking in present day schools.
3. Since computers, calculators, MP3 Players, camera phones and the like are extensions of a student's brain, evaluating them without these tools does not make much sense.
4. Programming is a key skill that most students already possess but should be allowed to have their knowledge expanded through a peer-led or expert taught class.
5. Most of the real learning happens after school, when students are allowed uninhibited access to technology.
6. Students are becoming more active consumers of their education and their voice is resoundingly clear - the old ways are unacceptable. A technology oriented classroom and curriculum is needed if students are to remain engaged within the confines of a school building.
Reflection
I found this article quite interesting and some valid points were made. However, teaching in rural Alaska, the meaning of native issues is quite different. Students out here would hardly refer to themselves as "digital natives." Most do not have computers at home, some do not have phones and, of course, there are no mobile phones. But their desire to use computers is obvious, even though they lack many of the skills mentioned in the article. I am glad for this, because even though I continue to be amazed at the innovations in technology, I still have a tendency to keep it at bay. One of the reasons I moved out here. I am the educator the author kept generally referring to. I do not think a computer can compensate for the human connection and I do not think that students should have unlimited access to anything they want. They would have a hard time integrating into the working world, where that is hardly the case. Much can be learned and accomplished using the tools of technology, but a balance must be in place between learning from people, books and nature and the new ways of technology.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Podcasting
Not so long ago, little more than a decade, I remember thinking that cell phones were for rich people and I would never own one. Ha! Now I’m watching videos on my MacBook (via wireless connection) of the major technological changes in store during the next couple of years, and…wow! I never cease to be amazed at what the human mind has accomplished and how much our society has changed because of these feats.
As a teacher, I am well aware that my students know as much or more than I do about technology and I must keep up, especially working in a standards based school where students are continually asking me how they can fulfill their technology standards. I have no choice but to stay ahead.
• Podcasting - To help answer the question of how podcasting will impact my classroom, I asked several students if they knew what it was. Blank stares. So I'm guessing podcasting won't have much of an impact out here. Until a teacher, administrator or the district decides it is something that might benefit the students, podcasting could be much farther in the future than 2015.
• Online News – Unlike podcasting, online news is already impacting my life and possibly my student’s lives. With no print version readily available and a limited, outdated library, we are constantly seeking online information sources. It’s a little scary, but exciting, to think that we could have personalized news. Perhaps in several years, the new technology standards will include the following: Creates personalized news site and posts links to relevant information on classroom blog.
As a teacher, I am well aware that my students know as much or more than I do about technology and I must keep up, especially working in a standards based school where students are continually asking me how they can fulfill their technology standards. I have no choice but to stay ahead.
• Podcasting - To help answer the question of how podcasting will impact my classroom, I asked several students if they knew what it was. Blank stares. So I'm guessing podcasting won't have much of an impact out here. Until a teacher, administrator or the district decides it is something that might benefit the students, podcasting could be much farther in the future than 2015.
• Online News – Unlike podcasting, online news is already impacting my life and possibly my student’s lives. With no print version readily available and a limited, outdated library, we are constantly seeking online information sources. It’s a little scary, but exciting, to think that we could have personalized news. Perhaps in several years, the new technology standards will include the following: Creates personalized news site and posts links to relevant information on classroom blog.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Futuring - Student Videos
After two weeks in Nondalton, I am fully immersed in the Standards Based System. So my first thoughts after watching the videos and contemplating the assessment of Hannah and the students from the School Train are as follows:
• What am I assessing? Was this a technology, cultural or employability standard?
• At what level were these tasks completed? There is a big difference between level 6 and level 8.
• How much involvement did the students have in the video production?
Hannah – She did an awesome job memorizing and acting out her story. If she was nervous the camera didn’t pick it up. Her body motions and voice inflections were those of an experienced storyteller. Hannah displayed self-confidence and mature composure as she told her story. I’ll take a whole classroom of Hannahs. Proficient/Advanced
School Train – I found the music a bit distracting and had a hard time focusing on the content. (As did the bona fide older people that saw the show) The students understand the metaphor of school train, but do they understand metaphors in general? Was that the goal? I’m sure they had great fun making the video and by default, probably learned something. Proficient
• What am I assessing? Was this a technology, cultural or employability standard?
• At what level were these tasks completed? There is a big difference between level 6 and level 8.
• How much involvement did the students have in the video production?
Hannah – She did an awesome job memorizing and acting out her story. If she was nervous the camera didn’t pick it up. Her body motions and voice inflections were those of an experienced storyteller. Hannah displayed self-confidence and mature composure as she told her story. I’ll take a whole classroom of Hannahs. Proficient/Advanced
School Train – I found the music a bit distracting and had a hard time focusing on the content. (As did the bona fide older people that saw the show) The students understand the metaphor of school train, but do they understand metaphors in general? Was that the goal? I’m sure they had great fun making the video and by default, probably learned something. Proficient
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