Group items tagged

Article discussing pitfalls of classroom technology use.

I've also witnessed the use of the interactive whiteboards. The teacher stood at the front of the room and clicked on items that she had prepared on her computer while the students sat and listened just as they would during a regular lecture. It was just nicer to look at.

This is the perfect example of the intersection of pedagogy and technology: if pedagogy doesn't change (ie, teacher presentation as a primary means of instruction), then technology will be used to support that. I do know a few teachers who said that maybe they brought kids to the board more, but most of them already had students come up when they had a chalkboard so it wasn't that much of a stretch.

Tom's blog is on my aggregator list!

I see a lot on the blog that probably shouldn't be posted due to the fact that it deals with things going on in Henrico County Public Schools. It raises issues with intellectual property and our web posting guidelines. If it can be construed as for one's personal gain, then it's not acceptable. The we and intellectual property guidelines are actually part of policy the last time I checked. Just my thought on it... I do visit the blog to help understand some of the jargon.

I have to agree with you Gary, however, I thought below was powerful: I think about where we spend our money. We're constantly trying to find easy ways out of holes, easy ways to scale metaphorical mountains. We look for processes to remove the chores of thought and decision. Education is floundering. We lost our faith in teachers. It is every politician's easy drum to beat- after all. "Our schools are failing! The enemies are at the gate!"1 Who would argue that our kids don't deserve better? Both parties agree. Education is failing. Our solution is not to work, to spend money and time on our teachers, to help them become better, instead we send our money away, spending precious time testing products of a system we insist is broken. We buy software. We buy content. We buy external experts.2 We buy reputation. We buy "trust" and "quality" because we don't believe either really exists in our schools. Invest that money in our teachers, on smaller classes, on things that have been proven to matter. Make teaching a career that isn't based on martyrdom. Martyrs die flaming deaths. Systems based on them don't last. There are no easy answers. You can't buy, process, software, magic your way out of this. There is no microwave dinner version of educational reform.

I liked how the article mentioned that being technology savvy isn't the only skill necessary to succeed in the 21st century and how it is just as important to teach problem solving and analytical skills.

I agree Shannon! Sometimes I think we get so "technology happy" that we often forget some of the other skills which are equally as important.

I think we also forget that 21st century skills does not always mean "using a computer." Collaboration is a 21st century skill that can be achieved sans a technological device. I feel like that is all we hear....21st century learner, 21st century learner!! Do all teachers, parents and students really know what that means?

Interview with Lan Neugent on his platform and idea of Open Education Resources

This is an interview with Lan Neugent. It can give you an idea of his current iniative in VA for education and technology.

Interesting video!

Garry...thanks for sharing! That is a very powerful video. I really think that all teachers should see that. We have to realize that we need to TEACH our students. There is so much out there to support our teaching and we all need to find it and use it! Thanks for sharing that!

VSTE is an advocate for educational technology. This page breaks down issues into various levels.

This article debates the opposing sides. Addresses students going through withdrawal symptoms when breaking from social networking! Also discusses health benefits to psyche.

I recently saw an episode of The Colbert Report where Nicholas Carr carefully examines the most important topic in contemporary culture; the mental and social transformation created by our new electronic environment. The challenge will be to stay off the web long enough to read his book! This is an interview about his previous book (same topic). Here is a link: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/185695/september-25-2008/nicholas-carr

This article discusses how social networking leads to groupthink.

I liked how the author posed the question: "Will you expand your mind and increase your creativity more by talking to people just like you or with people who are different?" It is so true. In order to expand your mind and learn about different things it's necessary to go and explore areas of the unknown .

Did you know that Virginia was the first state to require Internet Safety training in schools? With the rise of social networking and cyberbullying Bob McDonnell (Attorney General at the time) got the law passed to require this in schools. I think it requires at least a one hour lesson each year for every student.

I have actually enjoyed teaching the internet safety lessons to my students the past 2 years. I wonder if there is a possibility of some legislature requiring internet safety lessons for parents.... Just a thought.

I think one hour per year is minimal. I am glad it exists, but maybe a few times a year as a follow up and reminder for the kids???

Science Spot

On science spot one can see and share lesson, there are ideas for science projects, a reference desk, backyard garden, etc... My favorite is the idea factory. One can share ideas and favorite teaching tips with others on science lessons.

Article arguing against technology integration.

I read and commented on the article above and mentioned staff development and this article had it! I liked this article because he thinks like I do! I agree with Garry... technology substitution is something that probably many of us are guilty of doing. I am going to take a hard look at my lessons so that I stay away from that.

I found this article interesting because I never thought that companies would capitalize on the concept of 21st Century Skills to make a profit. I copied just a portion of the article for your review, however I think it would be worth your time to read the entire article. "Recently, those critics have leveled a more serious charge at the organization. P21, they allege, is a veiled attempt by technology companies-which make up the bulk of the group's membership-to gain more influence over the classroom. "The closer we look, the more P21's unproven educational program appears to be just another mechanism for selling more stuff to schools," Lynne Munson, the president and executive director of Common Core, a Washington group that advocates a stronger core curriculum, wrote in a recent blog item.".

You know, Stacy, I have always been cautious about corporate involvement in education and have major concerns about pushing 21st century skills too hard vs. focusing on content. Thanks for this article! It seems no one wants to champion or at least humor this viewpoint. I believe in objectivity and opposing viewpoints as a cornerstone of a democratic society.

PageFlakes is a start page similar to My Yahoo!, iGoogle, and Microsoft Live. Site is organized into tabs, each tab containing user-selected modules called Flakes

This article talks about teachers who actively use cell phones in their classroom. While they make some valid points and have come up with somre really creative lessons, I still am a tad bit skeptical!

So is it possible that cell phones just don't fit with traditional education? In other words, as long as schools are organized the way they are, we just can't use them for all the reasons we've talked about: safety, distraction, cheating, etc. etc.

I think some teachers are willing to try and incorporate them into education, but the majority think it is too much of a hassle. As an administrator and a teacher, I personally think the cons out weigh the pros.

Pros and cons in the ongoing debate with the opportunity to vote and a tally of votes thus far. I liked comment #6.

I like to try to read opposing arguments to my own views, and I have to admit that some of these people make some pretty good ones!

This article is fulll of data that shows how using technology in the classroom can improve student achievement

This is a great site listing all of the pros of using mobile computing in the classroom!