Aug 25, 2009
PCD
There have been many articles referring to the need to have students participate, collaborate, and distribute. We have spent hours talking and teaching but it really requires a full paradigm shift to really accomplish. Think in these terms – our students need to be equipped with the tools early on to create their own content, find resources for anything they need, and research what they want to know about. I say this with a note of caution as I make sure it is well understood. Our students lack experiential learning and the wherewithall to know how to connect outside of what they see and know allday. Their world revolves around the teacher in the classroom, peers and their homelife. They are only surrounded by those factors. As research tells us students will have at least 15 jobs in their lifetimes preparing them to seek out others worldwide is critical. They need the confidence and skill to network, change careers, find opportunities that might be out of their comfort area, and to prepare for those opportunities. We are quick to deny students cellphones, ipods, and other wireless devices. In our attempts to keep schools “secure” we are stripping our students of the tools they use on a daily basis and not giving our students the opportunites to grow with these new technologies. Read the Day in the Life of a Web 2.0 Student. I am suggesting we educate, educate, educate, embrace, and embellish. We don’t want to drive our decision making by fear and the unknown.
I totally agree that most students are unable to connect what they are learning in the classroom to the “real world.” It is our job to make those connections for them, and truly teach them WHY it matters! Who hasn’t sat through some boring lecture without being able to see the value or need for the lesson at hand?
We need to move away from the traditional way, the way it’s always been done and give students the freedom to safely use the devices that many of them already possess to enhance their education. Want to look something up? Pull out your phone and google it! Don’t have a phone with internet? THEN you get to use the classroom computers. Most children are more tech savvy than the adults in charge. Let them instruct us and we can all learn together.
So be specific on how you are doing that
I try to relate what I teach to the real world. For example, we’ve been working on writing numbers in standard form and word form. The students wanted to know (they asked) why this mattered. I explained that in order to fill out or read a bank check, they had to know both forms.
I let the students teach me things on the smartboard (like using the eraser to circle a big section, tap, erase). I am also in the process of setting up my moodle so I can blog with my reading group in addition to (and eventually in place of) their regular reading response journal writing.
I cannot use phones yet because electronics are not allowed at the elementary level. When and if that changes I will try to find creative ways to use them.
It has to start somewhere……..
What are we really “teaching” our students? Today’s classroom does not look much different than the classroom of twenty years ago. Although some classrooms now have access to Smartboards, traditional teaching is still very prevelant . Students do need to know how to study and master content in part, but what they really need to learn is how to survive in a twenty first century world. I am embarrassed to say that I even see this in my classroom. I just recently got a Smartboard. Although I do many activities on it, I am still very far away from having the students really utilize it. School curriculum needs to shift away from all the test taking, and assess the student’s capabilities to “survive”. They need to have the skills to research, collaborate and distribute. We, as educators, need to give them opportunities to dazzle us for a change
Let them show us what they know and learn together.
So what are you going to do next week to do what you say you should be doing. If in fact you truly believe students will learn more effectively using the strategies you set forth then what is stopping you. Curriculum is what you teach and that stays the same – the how you have total control over!
One of the scariest things that students face when they graduate high school or even college is entering the “real world”. While many students leave with knowledge of the core school subjects, life skills are often lacking. They do not know how to do many of the tasks their parents and/or guardians have always done for them. It is important for us as teachers to create authentic learning experiences where students are given real world situations or problems that need to be solved using the information they have learned. This gives students a better understanding of why they are learning the topics or concepts taught, as well as, how they can be applied to their own lives.
While the use of cell phones, iPods, etc. are often a debatable topic, I often wonder how we could actually make them work in the classroom without becoming too much of a distraction. I have read various articles about using cell phones in the classroom, however I am still not convinced. How do we get the students to stay focused and on task, and use the tools appropriately? I just do not see this type of experience being a positive one with all students. Would it really make a difference if we used these tools in the classroom? Many of our students are already more capable of using them than most adults.
I agree that it is important to provide students with the skills they will need to go off into the workforce. Students need to be given opportunities where they can interact with others, and be comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions. There are ways to effectively integrate projects and activities that will give students a chance to build their confidence and social skills without straying from the required curriculum.
I found the article, “A Day in the Life of Web 2.0” to be very interesting and full of great ideas. The problem though is that it is very ambitious, and many of us teachers struggle to already do the tasks that are required of us. I really like the idea of connecting staff members and allowing them to plan their own classroom activities around other teachers in their building. If there were a consensus among teachers willing to participate this would work quite well. I also like the idea of having what is going on in the classroom shared with parents and other community members. Often parents want to know what is going on in their child’s classroom, so Blogs would be a great way to keep everyone informed. I also like the idea of using Blogs for classroom assignments because it is a way for students to share their thoughts with others, receive feedback, and really learn from each other. My only question is how do we fairly implement Blogs into our classroom? It is always important to remember that not all students have access to a computer at home. This means that while Blogs may work great for in class assignments, our students may not always have access to the computer labs. We really need to keep these obstacles in mind when designing any type of project or activity that may require students to use the Internet outside of the classroom.
This was a great summary and your opinion was evident. What are you doing in your classroom now to embrace what is necessary. “liking” the idea and believing it is necessary to prepare our students to be 21st century learners are two different things. There are demands on all of us but if our students aren’t learning or aren’t prepared the way research and the modern day is telling us then how do you decide what tools to use. Those that are comfortable or those that are necessary.
I disagree with not knowing how come tools can be used. ipods can teach kids language acquisition but more importantly students can develop their own content for others. That development would not only reinforce but require students to gain a deeper meaning of the content by its use. Remember “blooms!” It is written all over what technology can do for us. I would like to see actions not ideas. Provocative and thanks for such a comprehensive response. I am anxious to see what you think.
I am a substitute teacher so I do not have my own classroom. This limits me on my ability to prepare students in the way that I want to. This is why I usually speak in terms of ideas rather than actions. If I had my own classroom, I would definitely apply lessons and activities that tie into connecting students with 21st century learning. Also, I fully agree that ipods can be used effectively in the classroom, what I meant was that it becomes a challenge using these tools with certain groups of students. It really all depends on what the activity is, and if the students are working one on one with the tools, or through a whole class experience. If the teacher is using an ipod for things such as listening to podcasts, the students can highly benefit through the practice of listening skills. The cell phone debate I am still not convinced on though.
I have to say the article “A Day in the Life of Web 2.0) is very interesting and is filled with technology and student and teacher interaction. I could see older grades incorporating such ideas before elementary. I teach third grad and try to incorporate as much technology as I can through my lessons. We are fortunate to have SmartBoards in almost every classroom, at least three computers for kids and one for a teacher. The problem many times with the great technology is we get blocked by our server.
We need to teach children with technology when they are young because the world is moving in the technology direction with jobs and everything else. We need to educate, educate, educate.
What do you mean blocked by your server. Do you mean your internet filtering. What should be done then?
“A Day in the Life of Web 2.0″ was a terrific article, and I think it is great example of what we should strive to become as school districts. With that said, I can’t help but think about how far off we are from that example. How many school districts really operate that way? I know my district, as a whole, does not. However, there are a few teachers that do use Wikis and blogs in the classroom every day, allowing for more student collaboration opportunities. The other day at a faculty meeting we had two teachers demonstrate how to use wikispaces in the classroom. All teachers were invited to join the wikispace and were asked to respond to a discussion. It was interesting to see how different teachers responded to this…..it seemed that the older teachers were “afraid” of using this technology, while the younger teachers thought it was wonderful. I think we need to lead by example, and educate those who are hesitant to use this technology.
In an effort to become more “Web 2.0 friendly” I am in the process of setting up a wiki space for my classes. I plan on holding discussions regarding current events, and other topics/issues in science. I am hoping to get the ball rolling in the science department!
That is what I was hoping to hear that you were going to apply what you know is right!
Technology takes students out of the four walls of their classroom! After reading this article one can see how technology allows for so much learning, collaboration, and communication. Students and teachers worked as a team and were able to distribute information instantly. I really liked how their school was a global village where all staff was involved from teachers to the principal to the superintendent. I liked that parents were in the know because it helps them to learn technology and it helps them to better understand what their child is learning. I liked how the teachers used teams with their students. I feel we sometimes forget that students are great teachers too! This is what high school should be like in this digital world. I teach kindergarten, so my job is to give them exposure to all these things so they know about them and have a better understanding when they use them when they are older. I have two compu8ters in my room. Two children use them in the morning and afternoon. I use them for a center as children finish their work. Even though their are only two I have them share computers which helps them communicate with each other! It is a petty sight when you see them helping each other and working together on their own! Unfortunately technology cuts were made two our grade level due to the budget and the economy. Kindergartners no longer have computers as special and we went from 7 weeks of lab to 5 weeks of lab. I am doing my research and field work and taking this class at the same time. So I am really trying to use technology appropriately at this age level. We have a smart board room and my goal is to use it twice a month this year! It is hard to make time for it when others are signed up and their is so much other demands on us, but I want them to have the exposure. I also want to find epals to work with to help them see how we can send emails around the world and our country! Plus 5 year olds are amazed by smart boards. They help with classroom management as well. They are all perfect because they all want a turn to interact with it! Ideally I would love one in my room , hopefully in the future. After all it is the direction education is going in and it is truly an amazing tool for the classroom.
We are in such a great time for education. The ability for students to be motivated to learn, to internalize, retain and utilize concepts “taught” in our classrooms is literally right at our fingertips—with technology—but we are so afraid to trust it and let it motivate and educate our students. When we decide to let go and let our students take ownership of their learning is when they really care about it and are motivated to learn it and use it. Technology is a way for students to learn through exploration, inquiry and research. It is a way for them to share information and teach others. In this age of technology, where information and resources are literally at our finger tips- why are we still having students memorize and spit back definitions of vocabulary words??? When students research and use those words on their own–with the use of technology– they will internalize those words and retain and use them. Our perspective of teaching and learning HAS to change from one of having students spit back information to us and do well on tests—to one where curiosity is instilled in our students and they are motivated to explore, inquire, research, communicate and share. We have SO many resources in this age of technology that we are not using to their full potential– we need to start realizing their potential. Just as we have procedures, routines and rules for the use of all other school materials- there are procedures, routines and rules for the use of technology in our classrooms. It is time to stop making excuses and not trusting technolgy—because we are missing out on the ultimate teachable moments.
The biggest challenge we have as educators today is to teach students who to navigate a world that is constantly changing. In ten (or even five) years the skills necessary to be a productive member of society may totally change. Just look at how quickly computers and technology have changed the shape of the workforce: they have helped fuel a “flattening” of the world and a more global economy. Our graduating students today are competing with students from across the globe for the same jobs.
With that said, I believe the biggest thing we need to teach our students is critical thinking skills and collaboration. Since we don’t know the problems students will be trying to solve when they enter the workforce, we need to teach them how to think critically and solve many different types of problems. Collaboration skills are also key; many jobs today require employees to work together on projects.
The Web 2.0 tools discussed in the article are certainly good at promoting collaboration and if implemented properly can be used to stimulate critical thinking and problem solving skills as well. One of the things I like most about these tools is that they give students an authentic audience. I feel students are more likely to put more effort into an assignment if they know peers will be looking at it/responding to it instead of just the teacher grading it.
On a personal level, I read blogs, manipulate wikis, and use RSS and social bookmarking often. However, I haven’t yet implemented many of these tools into my classroom. I’ve had trouble determining effective implementations of these tools into my Mathematics classroom, which is driven by the packed curriculum and the ever present push for good regents results. I can certainly see many applications for these tools in English and Social Studies classes but with Mathematics I think it is much harder. I do use a lot of technology in my teaching, I just haven’t found a good implementation for some of the Web 2.0 tools as of yet (although I certainly feel they are worthwhile).
As an aside, David Warlick was the keynote speaker at one of our staff development days last year. He basically presented all of the tools in the article, but gave no examples of classroom projects or classes currently using them. I found his presentation to be quite boring especially because I had experience with all of the tools already and there was no “hands on” time with the tools, but rather simply a 3+ hour lecture (which is the opposite of what we want to do in the classroom today).
I completely agree that students should be able to use technology to participate, collaborate, and distribute. It is necessary to ensure that students are prepared for careers in this 21st century world. In order to do this, students must be able to use all of the technology available to find information, determine its merit, and create something new using the information. I know that I am guilty of not having students use technology enough in my classroom. I find that there is a huge hurtle in my way- lack of technology to me and my students. I have applied for a Smart Board several times, and gotten denied each time. There is one computer lab in my school for four grade levels. It is extremely difficult to get any time in there. That leaves me with one computer in my classroom, an LCD projector, and an ELMO. I use technology everyday to deliver information, but the students are not interacting with it. I have very little means to facilitate this. I have a class website where I list the homework assignments, post information for parents, and have websites for students to use, but none of this can be mandatory since not all students have computers or Internet access. I hope to be able to obtain more technology that my students can interact with. I want to be able to prepare them for the workforce.
Additionally, I think that the standards and curriculum need to evolve as well. I need to teach my curriculum very quickly in order to prepare my students for the state math assessment. This does not provide a lot of time or flexibility for me to allow students to explore, collaborate, and create. Of course, in spite of these frustrations, I will continue to try to find ways for my students to use technology in rich, meaningful ways. Sorry to be such a downer, it’s not usually my way, but I was so frustrated with my school after hearing about all of the great technology in Monticello!
In response to the “Day In the Life of Web 2.0″ I agree that this is an excellent way for teachers to interact in a day when everyone is running around trying to get the most out of a school day. I think blogging is a great way to reflect on how a lesson went as a way to tweak it to make it better the next time. When we were all undergrads doing our student teaching, that was a key part of the student teaching experience – reflecting on the days events. But once we get into the profession we often stop “reflecting” as much – for whatever reason. And blogging allows others to input suggestions, or just support when you see that colleagues have often gone through the same things. So why doesn’t it happen? I can only speak for myself – from a small district (Florida).
1-You need the support of the administration to get behind the technology, and they need to leave their egos at the door. As was mentioned in the leadership discussion in class – a good leader needs to be able to acknowledge a good idea, whether it was theirs or someone else’s. That is not always the case.
2 – Professional Development – for any program to succeed you need to properly train the people who will be using it. In the Florida UFSD for the past three years our two (that’s right 2) “professional development” days have been used for grading state Math and ELA assessments. This past September our opening day for teachers was used to “train” us on using the new School Tool application. Now this is a huge improvement over SASI but the “training” consisted of a (badly made) video put together by a 6th grade teacher who fancies himself a tech guru. Today is October 18th and there are a number of teachers who can only use it for attendance. Real training would allow the teachers to get maximum use out of the application.
3 – Support from the teachers – meaning their willingness to try something new. Just like the students we teach, teachers need to be invested in the new technology. Someone needs to show and convince them that technology will work for them. So this ties into the first and second points here. And a lot of experienced teachers are hesitant to embrace new ideas because the “chalk and talk” method has worked fine. And there is nothing wrong with using the blackboard, but there is so much out there – for example, the SmartBoard takes the blackboard (same basic idea) to new heights – Interactive, pictures, charts, diagrams, video, etc. – all at your fingertips.
Finally, a comment on the way schools approach all of the technology that our students use. While I see the point of view that we need students to focus on schoolwork, and Ipods, cell phones, social networking, etc. can be a distraction – it seems many administrators are too focused on the negative stories and, rather than finding a way to use the technology of the students, try to put the genie back in the bottle. We are actually discouraged from having any electronic communication with our students (and this was long before the recent teacher-student sex scandal), but I do still email with them to answer questions, receive work, etc.
That was an amazing article. I kept wondering “how on earth did they get everyone on board?”. Obviously it had to start with a small group of people, and that is what I’d love to hear more about.
I agree that we let our fears (specifically regarding student safety/security) keep us from moving forward and employing technology that is both more effective and better received by students. I also agree that using this type of PCD model would prepare them for careers in a way that we currently do not.
I’d love to have a cup of coffee around a table with the district’s lawyer, the IT person, and the Superintendent, and any one of the individuals mentioned in the article (as proof of what is possible) to hear their perspectives.
Technology is a terrific tool that allows our students to gain a deeper understanding of Earth Science concepts. I think that having access to the many animations and interactive websites that are available for some of the more abstract science concepts has helped my students. I also think that if students create their own product, such as a podcast or wiki or blogs for example, they will gain a deeper understanding of the concepts. My students have created powerpoints, photostories and other products to explain science concepts. Also, along the way they acquired skills such as working effectively with others, and examining critically their own and others’ work . I am in the process of setting up a blog for my students so that they could help each other. As mentioned in the article, I like the idea of setting up a Wiki in place of reviews for unit tests.
I also like the idea of networking with other teachers to find out the strategies that they are using in their classrooms. A number of teachers in my building are teaching a new course, and we are finding it difficult to come up with effective tools and strategies. I am going to suggest that we use a blog to post any new ideas and communicate what we are doing in our classrooms.
That being said, I am not convinced of the necessity and the practicality of having technology permeate my classroom on a daily basis as is seen in the article. From a logistics standpoint,I have one computer and an overhead projector – that’s it. I can request an LCD projector with a tablet, and I have access to computer labs. My students enjoy taking over the tablet and helping teach the class. Although this can slow things down considerably, I think that it helps. Another difficulty is that many of my students do not have access to a computer outside of the school building (yes – all the more reason to have them use computers in school).
I think that students can learn from each other without the aid of technology as well. Most of my laboratory classroom investigations are done collaboratively. Also when a student says,”I don’t understand…”, I try to create a climate where another student answers the question instead of me answering it.
I put this response in the web 2.0 by mistake. Here it is again with a bit added.
Looking at the article “A Day in the Life” was a good example of what can be done if everyone is working together and shares a common goal. To me this is a great reality to strive for, but practically unrealistic. Factors such as time and discipline become all too real hindrances in this case. While speaking from the mathematics curriculum it is packed tight within the contents of the school year. Many of the topics tend to be geared towards a testing atmosphere, but would more readily be learned through hands on, discussion based discovery learning. As is shown in the article collaboration and flexibility made the learning environment not only more enriching for the students, but more engaging as well as students wanted to succeed and do the best they could.
Looking at situations like this one can easily wonder are all students learning the material and if not, is there the time to help them? The other aspect that can be looked at is students may learn the concept and be able to relate the information, but now put a very concrete test in front of them and will the same connections be made to indicate mastery of a topic? Looking at a situation like this would be a model, but thinking within time constraints that often exist much would have to be adapted to work in a particular individual’s classroom to work with their teaching style. Looking at what students have availible they are already flexible in the way they live. They will be doing a project while on the phone, watching tv and downloading the latest songs so infusing new ways of learning that stimulate the students is key maybe it is the system that looks at what the students know that needs to be changed to appreciate what the students really do know and can do.
Students walk into our classroom now with more knowledge about technology than most teachers. They come with i-pods and cell phones equipped with the top of the line technology.
I often think that students should continue to learn after they leave my classroom. As a teacher I wish I had the training and the time to be one step ahead of my students when it comes to technology in order to better utilize it in my classroom. Web 2.0 makes it easier to understand and use technology in the classroom as well as outside the classroom. As of right now we must be open to using these tools. I feel this is one step closer to really utilizing the best tech tools our students use on a daily basis.
Furthermore any time we incorporate technology in out teachings students feel that we relate more to them because they are so used to using them at home. I have recently created a blog, and wish to incorporated in my classroom. The more familiar I get with using the Web 2.0 the more confident I feel in using it with my students. Ultimately feeling safe and comfortable with anything that is new will help motivate people to use it.
I thought that I posted a resopnse last night, but now I don’t see it here. Sorry if this is a repeat…
I think that it is necessary that we require students to participate, collaborate, and distribute. Students will need these skills in order to be successful in the 21st century workforce. I know that I am guily of not providing enough opportunities to my students to use technology in class. However, I see a major hurtle in my way. The only technology available to me in my room is my one computer, and LCD projector, and an ELMO. Therefore, I use technology to deliver content everyday, but it is not in the hands of the students. I have applied for a Smart Board through my school twice, but got denied. I have a computer lab in my school, but there is only one for four grade levels. This means that I have to fight in order to get any time in there. I do have a teacher webpage where students can view the homework calendar for our class and visit websites that I suggest, but I cannot make these activities requirements because not all students have internet access. I hate to be such a downer, but I was so frustrated with my school after hearing about all of the great technology being used in Monticello. I hope that I can push to get more technology for my students!
First I want to say good article. In MST 1, we did a lot of work with RSS feeds and bookmarking. It definitely shed a whole new light of how to stay connected with one another and how to stay updated. I love the idea of blogging. I think that blogging gives students a chance to express themselves without the pressures from other students. It also forces students to take pride in their work because it is being published. The idea of Wikkis, I agree with and disagree. I like the fact that you can post information and edit it at any time. What I don’t like is the fact that not all the information on there is accurate and true. I like how the article describes a way to monitor who puts info on the Wikki. Technology is the wave of the future and we as teachers need to jump on the wagon. We need to supply students with the tools needed to be successful in the future. I-Pods, cell phones, and other devices all have a place in education.
I really enjoyed reading this article for the specific reason that our world is highly geared to the integration of technology in every job force. From being the CEO of a major corporation to taking orders at McDonalds, technology is the present and our future. I will be honest and say that most school districts, utilizing Web 2.0 is unrealistic, especially in New York State. I feel that the REGENTS exam is a cloud that hangs over our heads and in effort to complete my curriculum in time for this exam I must have my students prepared. I would love to do more technology things like wikis and blogging but the fact is many of my students do not have computers.
I am completely impressed with the ways the teacher utilized Web 2.0 in her classroom and records her lesson and places the audio in a podcast. I am a strong believer on not using technology for the sake of just using it. If I feel I can enhance my student’s understanding of content material, I will use technology in my classroom. For example, how can students truly visualize and understand the formation of a hurricane through verbal communication when you can actually show them a visual animation of the hurricane forming.
My only true complaint about the article is preparation for college. Completing college is one step closer to the “real world” but as a recent graduate from a NYS University we rarely ever used technology and most of my classes, science and education, consisted of the simple talk and chalk. Having said that, are we not doing an injustice to our students by not exposing them to the “standard” classroom and the styles of teaching that have been used for the past couple decades?
There is no doubt that technology does play a very important role in providing students with a contemporary education. It is essential for students to have skills such as collaborating with peers using technology, as these skills will undoubtedly be used in virtually every career they pursue.
However, one issue I’ve noticed with respect to using new devices such as iPods and cellphones in the classroom is that they are used for real educational purposes a very small percentage of the time. It’s great for a student to be able to look up a quick fact or definition on their smartphone, but while they’re finding out the information, they also check their e-mail, send a few text messages, and read their Facebook feed. These devices are distracting, and in reality they end up providing an opportunity to lose focus and interest on the current task at hand.
We recently had a “Web 2.0″ guest speaker describe a situation where his student was constantly checking his cell phone in class, so he asked what the student was doing. The student responded that his sister was going into delivery, so the speaker said it was fine that he keep sending messages, and what a great use of technology this was. Clearly, this student was using his phone for no educational purpose whatsoever, and in my opinion, the student should have excused himself from the room to take care of his personal business, rather than create a huge distraction that had nothing to do with English class.
I am not proposing that these devices should never be used in the classroom, but they are only appropriate in certain situations. One upcoming topic I will be teaching in physics is inertia, and I have students first pass a basketball around, and then pass a bowling ball around to compare the difference in inertia between the two objects. I cannot think of anything you could put on the screen of an iPod or cellphone that would describe an object’s resistance to change in motion better than this hand-on demonstration.
Students do need to learn many skills with respect to technology, as they will continue to use them on a daily basis for the rest of their lives, but I believe technology should not be implemented as an all-out replacement of hands-on demonstrations and lab activities that teach students core physics concepts.
So his sister was going into labor… But who was it distracting – the students or the teacher. I bet students around him worked distracted at all. It was the teacher. If he was being inappropriate he could just be counseled in appropriate use. But he was probably getting something out of the class. I celebrate the fact that he was so focused on his family.
In my classroom I use Technology everyday being a technology education teacher. I do not take the traditional approach to teaching all the time. I often try to set up activities that are more student directed. I try to help prepare the students for college and the real world. I find that when kids enter my class they do not even know how to research without you telling them exactly where to go and what URL to type. When they leave my room after the 20 weeks I see a change in their behavior. They no longer ask question they use the web to research their question and find the answer they are looking for.
This generation of kids is different from ones in the past. They have grown up digital and computers, iPods, PSP’s, are part of their everyday life. There are so many different things that we as teachers could use with these different technologies to help educate our students and keep them activity engaged in the learning process.
I feel that many teachers are afraid to try something different along the lines of 2.0 or some kind of pod cast because they themselves are not comfortable using the technology and often times do not want to leave their comfort zone. Times are changing and we as educators need to adapt to the change.
Interesting but remember this is not about you Mark 1!!! And as far as the questions – well what are you going to do as a tech director to make those changes.
I really agree with the statement that you said “we need to educate, educate, educate, embellish, and embrace”. This is so true, but for some hard to accomplish. A lot of educators are staying true to the old rules that students should not have certain things like cellphones in their possession at school. However, our job is to prepare our students to go out and succeed in the real world. Well, the reality of our world today is that many things involve the use of technologies like the cell phone. So if this is the case, why not teach the students how to use them responsibly. We should be making the students familiar with all of the resources that they could possibly be using when they go out into the workforce. Unfortunately this is not the case. I believe that this is true, because many teachers do not like to change their routine to accomodate others. They feel that all students should be able to succeed in their classrooms. But, if we do not base lessons around what students know and are interested in, we are only going to reach a small portion of our students.
Enough! It is electronic overkill. Too much. What ever happened to moderation in all things—computer use included?
I am an educational technologist who has been working in the field for over 20 years. I like progress. I like technology. Yet, I do not own an mp3 player. I really prefer cameras with film but use what is available, and have been known on rare occasion to Photoshop the results. I do not subscribe to RSS feeds. I do not read friends’ blogs and wikis although almost everyone I know has one—I’m just not really interested in what my friends and colleagues are doing every minute of the day. My cell phone which was purchased solely for the purpose of being accessible when there was an emergency is five years old. I do own a computer which I do use for work, school, and play. But, similar to the great Groucho Marx, (Go! Look him up, all you young’ns) and his cigar, I do turn the machine off once in a while, along with the tv and radio. Sometimes, silence is soooooo nice.
That rant is over. Now for the next rant. I’d really like to know how other school districts get away with student texting, teacher web sites, student and teacher blogs and wikis. I’d really love to know. Did they shoot all the lawyers in those towns? Does every student really submit a signed acceptable use policy? Does every teacher have back up lessons to accommodate the student who’s parents’ religious or political (is there really a difference?) beliefs want to maintain complete control/censorship over everything their child is exposed to? When do these students learn to type fast enough to complete their school work within a given amount of time? Is the building educational technologist, the person who has some level of responsibility for enforcing the district AUP, supposed to tell his or her colleagues they can’t mention on their blog, web site or wiki that the homework they post is for their class. The district needs plausible deniability, just in case the teacher has some minor tidbit on his or her web site which might encourage someone seeking to make money off the district, to sue.
Will web 2.0 help in education? Maybe. Depends on what educational goals are being sought.
Addendum. Now that I’ve found where to post. The skills we were taught as students to prepare us for the 20th century are not the same as those our students are learning for the first score of the 21st century. The question is, will those skills still be relevant when these students become adults? There are indications that the technology will completely change again. Input devices will be totally different.
Mark 1 this is not about you!!!! So what are you going to do as the tech director to address the issues that prevent us from moving forward
After reading Web 2.0, I am astonished that schools like this one even exist. This is so different from the environment where I work. I often embrace technology as a way to motivate students to make connections to present day, but I seem to be of the minority. I would love to teach in school where a veteran teacher asks me for help with current technology, but often what I see, are disgruntled teachers upset about a lacking contract.
Reviewing the posts of my peers, I see that most of us are quick to tell the students to use the classroom computers to help them learn. However, I have only on computer in my room and gaining access to the computer lab isn’t always easy. The fact that my school doesn’t allow students to use handheld devices, such as phones and Ipods, is simply because middle school students have not exhibited that they can be trusted. In other words, if they use an Ipod for my class, they will bring it to their study hall and instead of doing work they will listen to their Ipod. I’ve created five long term projects this year, all using some sort of technology. Each assignment took at least 3 days longer because the students spend time talking and they are easily distracted. In fact, several students didn’t even finish because they lack time management skills. I love teaching with a technological component infused in my curriculum, however I feel that there needs to be a compromise. So many times I create lessons that involve a hands-on approach, but many students only work to complete the bare minimum. This does little in the way of motivation on my end and I find myself asking the question, Why am I going to do all this work, if the kids aren’t going to appreciate it
Lots of good ideas and information in the article. I wish I could say that I see all schools (or even my school) moving in this direction, but there really need to be some major perspective changes if we are going to embrace the concept of Web 2.0 as a whole. I, along with many teachers I know, use wikis, blogs, or some other type of collaborative communication in the classroom, but I wouldn’t say it is the norm. And I don’t blame many teachers for not adapting to the new method of truly incorporating new technologies into the classroom because (on the high school level at least) the end result is still the standardized test that is better approached by traditional teaching methods. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of Web 2.0 and I think it is extremely beneficial to the students (and fun) but doesn’t necessarily meet the administrations’ bottom line.