"Inspiring Students with Peer Tutoring" by Brandy Smith
This article tells how a teacher in an urban, Midwestern school formed an after-school Tech Club modeled on peer tutoring. She had the teachers choose students using criteria designed to choose students who were not already experiencing great academic success, in order to provide them with a growth opportunity. She got the program off the ground with grant money and continued the club on her own after the monies ran out. The program is very successful and all parties, students, teachers, and the peer educators, have benefited from this program.
Is is appropriate to use students as teachers? I really believe in this concept. Being able to teach a skill to others is a very empowering experience and builds confidence. I do think teachers have to guard against against overuse of the more competent students as teachers but this program is very structured. Having the "tech kids" available to assist with technology means less waiting and frustration for a class. One thing the article did not address was how the students handled being out of their own classes when they were assisting in other classes. I would have liked to know how this was dealt with.
Can a program like this help teachers who are reluctant to adopt and use new technology? It appears this program was very successful in that regard. There was a large increase in teachers checking out the computer cart for use in their classrooms. Sometimes just exposure to the learning opportunities technology can provide is the impetus a teacher needs to become more open to the use of technology.
This program accomplished its goal of empowering both students and teachers. It provides a model for other schools who might be looking to integrate more technology into their classrooms.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Journal #9
"Failure is NOT an Option" by Dave L. Edyburn
The subtitle of this article is "Collecting, Reviewing, and Acting on Evidence for Using Technology to Enhance Academic Performance" and it specifically addresses how technology can be used to close the "achievement gap." Each school year, many children fail to achieve at grade level, and these children are generally "students of color, those with disabilities, those living in poverty, and those whose first language is not English." The author details in depth the components of performance, how technology can be used as performance support, and the bias in the education community for "Naked Independence." That is, a high premium is placed on students' ability to perform without external help. This is a historical bias that is no longer relevant because a person can perform quite well in our society by knowing how to get information through technology. Having all your knowledge contained in your brain is no longer an neccesity for being an educated person. The author makes the argument that it is time to disregard the bias for naked independence and provide students with the technological tools they need to help achieve equity in our educational system.
Is our educational system slow to adopt technology that would make some students more successful? I agree that this is often the case. Oftentimes expense is the reason. However I think that sometimes we are spending money on interventions we might not need to use, or having to use those interventions for a longer time, than if we adopted certain technologies sooner. An example of this is the Scholastic Read 180 program that incorporates technology for both students and teachers to aid struggling readers. I was recently in a middle school that is experiencing great success with this program. If this program allows the students to become successful in middle school and ensures they finish high school, the cost is definitely worth it.
Are we hanging on to outdated conventions in our bias toward "naked independence?" I think we are. At one time a good memory was essential in absorbing and retaining the knowledge necessary to become an educated person. In our current stage of technological advancement, a good memory is no longer as vital. The internet provides instant access to facts. What is more important is the ability to think critically and evaluate information. For students that struggle I think that spending a lot of time on the memorization component (an area where they probably won't experience success) prevents them from building the more important critical thinking skills that will be what allows them to be successful in school and the workplace.
This very interesting article covers a lot of information about how our educational system needs to evolve to keep pace with the onoging technological revolution, and how this would help students, both in school and in life.
The subtitle of this article is "Collecting, Reviewing, and Acting on Evidence for Using Technology to Enhance Academic Performance" and it specifically addresses how technology can be used to close the "achievement gap." Each school year, many children fail to achieve at grade level, and these children are generally "students of color, those with disabilities, those living in poverty, and those whose first language is not English." The author details in depth the components of performance, how technology can be used as performance support, and the bias in the education community for "Naked Independence." That is, a high premium is placed on students' ability to perform without external help. This is a historical bias that is no longer relevant because a person can perform quite well in our society by knowing how to get information through technology. Having all your knowledge contained in your brain is no longer an neccesity for being an educated person. The author makes the argument that it is time to disregard the bias for naked independence and provide students with the technological tools they need to help achieve equity in our educational system.
Is our educational system slow to adopt technology that would make some students more successful? I agree that this is often the case. Oftentimes expense is the reason. However I think that sometimes we are spending money on interventions we might not need to use, or having to use those interventions for a longer time, than if we adopted certain technologies sooner. An example of this is the Scholastic Read 180 program that incorporates technology for both students and teachers to aid struggling readers. I was recently in a middle school that is experiencing great success with this program. If this program allows the students to become successful in middle school and ensures they finish high school, the cost is definitely worth it.
Are we hanging on to outdated conventions in our bias toward "naked independence?" I think we are. At one time a good memory was essential in absorbing and retaining the knowledge necessary to become an educated person. In our current stage of technological advancement, a good memory is no longer as vital. The internet provides instant access to facts. What is more important is the ability to think critically and evaluate information. For students that struggle I think that spending a lot of time on the memorization component (an area where they probably won't experience success) prevents them from building the more important critical thinking skills that will be what allows them to be successful in school and the workplace.
This very interesting article covers a lot of information about how our educational system needs to evolve to keep pace with the onoging technological revolution, and how this would help students, both in school and in life.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Journal #8
"WriteToLearn" by Sarah McPherson
This article is about Web-based program that "is designed to help students develop summarizing and essay writing skills." It is designed to provide guided practice to middle and high school students. The technology it uses is designed to simulate the feedback a human reader might provide.
Do students in today's schools need to improve their writing skills? YES! From what I see in college today, and in my children's middle and high schools, writing skills are an area that needs a lot of work. For whatever reason (time, inclination?) students today are not receiving adequate guidance with editing and improving their work. A tool that provides opportunity for practice, and gives individualized feedback can be a valuable tool.
With a program that can provide the feedback a teacher normally would, will teachers become obsolete? NO! There are so many aspects to good writing that can only be conveyed via personal instruction and modeling. Sometimes good writing can include not following the rules (something you can only do once you know the rules). A good teacher is invaluable in helping students develop a writing style that is not only grammatically correct but conveys personality. Knowing which writing style is appropriate for which assignment is also important, something a teacher can help a student with.
There is no substitute for a good teacher, but this program appears to be a valuable tool to assist both the teacher and the student.
This article is about Web-based program that "is designed to help students develop summarizing and essay writing skills." It is designed to provide guided practice to middle and high school students. The technology it uses is designed to simulate the feedback a human reader might provide.
Do students in today's schools need to improve their writing skills? YES! From what I see in college today, and in my children's middle and high schools, writing skills are an area that needs a lot of work. For whatever reason (time, inclination?) students today are not receiving adequate guidance with editing and improving their work. A tool that provides opportunity for practice, and gives individualized feedback can be a valuable tool.
With a program that can provide the feedback a teacher normally would, will teachers become obsolete? NO! There are so many aspects to good writing that can only be conveyed via personal instruction and modeling. Sometimes good writing can include not following the rules (something you can only do once you know the rules). A good teacher is invaluable in helping students develop a writing style that is not only grammatically correct but conveys personality. Knowing which writing style is appropriate for which assignment is also important, something a teacher can help a student with.
There is no substitute for a good teacher, but this program appears to be a valuable tool to assist both the teacher and the student.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Journal #7
"Online Learning in Harmony" by Kimberly Ketterer
The author details that one exciting effect of bringing the Internet into classrooms is that it allows for a co-mingling of two different teaching philosophies, behaviorist and constructionist. She talks about how technology can allow for incorporating drill-and-practice lessons as well as exploratory and collaborative experiences.
Is there a need for drill-and-practice lessons in the classroom? I think there is, especially for those students who do not catch on as quickly as others, and for some areas of math, such as the multiplication tables. Technology provides a "sexier" way to deliver this type of content, which can tend to be boring. Making this practice fun ensures that all students will have a solid base upon which to build.
Is it important for students to be able to use the computer/Internet collaboratively? As we've seen, technology is in all areas of our life. It is probable that this is a workplace skill that students will need in the future and collaborative assignments are a great place to hone this skill.
The author details that one exciting effect of bringing the Internet into classrooms is that it allows for a co-mingling of two different teaching philosophies, behaviorist and constructionist. She talks about how technology can allow for incorporating drill-and-practice lessons as well as exploratory and collaborative experiences.
Is there a need for drill-and-practice lessons in the classroom? I think there is, especially for those students who do not catch on as quickly as others, and for some areas of math, such as the multiplication tables. Technology provides a "sexier" way to deliver this type of content, which can tend to be boring. Making this practice fun ensures that all students will have a solid base upon which to build.
Is it important for students to be able to use the computer/Internet collaboratively? As we've seen, technology is in all areas of our life. It is probable that this is a workplace skill that students will need in the future and collaborative assignments are a great place to hone this skill.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Journal #6
"Social Justice: Choice or Necessity?" by Colleen Swain and David Edyburn
This article details the important role technology plays in today's society and the disadvantage at which students who have not had adequate exposure to technology in school will be placed when they enter the workplace.
I wonder when we will get to the place where the idea of equity in education is a given? As the article states, it is currently frequently left up to individual teachers to find ways to provide technological access to their students. In additon, many teachers do not necessarily agree with the important role technology should be playing in the classroom. As I finish this paragraph I realize that the question I asked was quite rhetorical, but important nonetheless.
Do teachers have a responsibility to provide opportunities for technological development to their students? I believe they do, since not providing the opportunity leaves students' at a distinct disadvantage as the climb the educational ladder.
This article details the important role technology plays in today's society and the disadvantage at which students who have not had adequate exposure to technology in school will be placed when they enter the workplace.
I wonder when we will get to the place where the idea of equity in education is a given? As the article states, it is currently frequently left up to individual teachers to find ways to provide technological access to their students. In additon, many teachers do not necessarily agree with the important role technology should be playing in the classroom. As I finish this paragraph I realize that the question I asked was quite rhetorical, but important nonetheless.
Do teachers have a responsibility to provide opportunities for technological development to their students? I believe they do, since not providing the opportunity leaves students' at a distinct disadvantage as the climb the educational ladder.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Journal #5
"How to Fight the New Bullies" by Rosalind Wiseman
I read this article in yesterday's Parade magazine. It details the dangers of cyberbullying, which is basically social bullying that uses the internet and cell phones. You could say it's an old-fashioned "slam book" gone 21st century.
Is this type of behavior inevitable with all the technology kids have access to today? I think the anonymity of the web makes it easier for kids to violate boundaries they wouldn't otherwise. That's why values education, at home and at school, is so important. Parents especially need to teach their children empathy. Empathy is not a one-time lesson, it takes place in many conversations and in critical viewing of the media with your child. If children are just allowed to watch the really anti-social things on television (especially much of the MTV programming) they will develop a world view that says it's okay, and in fact normal, to treat other people meanly and without empathy or sympathy.
Is there anything we can do to stop cyberbullying? Just like we'll never stop all physical bullying, we'll never completely eliminate it. We can, however, decrease the incidence of cyberbullying. Monitoring our childrens' use of technology and listening to a child who says they have been bullied are starts. Accountability is a huge weapon. If a school, or parent, finds out a child has bullied another child the situation should be investigated and handled properly. For both parents and schools that means having to do the unpopular thing and teach a child that their behavior has consequences.
As with much of the brave, new world of technology we are often behind our kids in figuring out all the ways, both positive and negative, this technology can be used.
I read this article in yesterday's Parade magazine. It details the dangers of cyberbullying, which is basically social bullying that uses the internet and cell phones. You could say it's an old-fashioned "slam book" gone 21st century.
Is this type of behavior inevitable with all the technology kids have access to today? I think the anonymity of the web makes it easier for kids to violate boundaries they wouldn't otherwise. That's why values education, at home and at school, is so important. Parents especially need to teach their children empathy. Empathy is not a one-time lesson, it takes place in many conversations and in critical viewing of the media with your child. If children are just allowed to watch the really anti-social things on television (especially much of the MTV programming) they will develop a world view that says it's okay, and in fact normal, to treat other people meanly and without empathy or sympathy.
Is there anything we can do to stop cyberbullying? Just like we'll never stop all physical bullying, we'll never completely eliminate it. We can, however, decrease the incidence of cyberbullying. Monitoring our childrens' use of technology and listening to a child who says they have been bullied are starts. Accountability is a huge weapon. If a school, or parent, finds out a child has bullied another child the situation should be investigated and handled properly. For both parents and schools that means having to do the unpopular thing and teach a child that their behavior has consequences.
As with much of the brave, new world of technology we are often behind our kids in figuring out all the ways, both positive and negative, this technology can be used.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Journal #4
"From Toy to Tool" by Liz Kolb
This article, From Toy To Tool, outlines how you can bring cell phones into the classroom in a useful role by using audioblogging. The author gives some great ideas for projects and detailed instructions on how to post an audioblog to your blog. I followed the instructions and everything went really well, except the audioblog hasn't been posted. I'll give it one more try later. I'm not sure why it's not on this site, but it is on gabcast.com on channel number 7897.
Should we be allowing cell phones in the classroom? The reality is that cell phones already are in the classroom. I wonder if we wouldn't be more successful in monitoring the use of cell phones if we recognize that they are an integral part of students' lives and teach them ways to use their cell phones in some innovative ways. Sometimes giving a child a privilege encourages them to act more responsibly.
The other question would be, how you handle that some students have cell phones while others do not. I like the options the author gives about educating the students as to the way cell phone plans work and it would also be a good opportunity to point out that parents may have reasons, other than simply financial ones, for not feeling it is appropriate for a child to have a cell phone.
This article, From Toy To Tool, outlines how you can bring cell phones into the classroom in a useful role by using audioblogging. The author gives some great ideas for projects and detailed instructions on how to post an audioblog to your blog. I followed the instructions and everything went really well, except the audioblog hasn't been posted. I'll give it one more try later. I'm not sure why it's not on this site, but it is on gabcast.com on channel number 7897.
Should we be allowing cell phones in the classroom? The reality is that cell phones already are in the classroom. I wonder if we wouldn't be more successful in monitoring the use of cell phones if we recognize that they are an integral part of students' lives and teach them ways to use their cell phones in some innovative ways. Sometimes giving a child a privilege encourages them to act more responsibly.
The other question would be, how you handle that some students have cell phones while others do not. I like the options the author gives about educating the students as to the way cell phone plans work and it would also be a good opportunity to point out that parents may have reasons, other than simply financial ones, for not feeling it is appropriate for a child to have a cell phone.
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