Reading #2 Mary Scroggs school
Would you want to work in such a technology rich school district such as Mary Scroggs Elementary? What would be the benefits or the downfalls of such a school?
Reading #5 A “Fantastic Super” Use of Technology: Closing the Digital Divide.
Once you have come back to reality what problems could you foresee this school having? What do you already do, or could you take from this article to try in your classroom?
Reading #6 Sherman Oaks School: A Seamless Integration of Technology.As a teacher, what do you view as the best way to perform staff development when it comes to technology? (Seminars, On-Line Training, Classes, Boces)
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re: Mary Scroggs School.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, my mouth was watering as I watched the video. I would love to have a few student computer stations in my room. Well, I'd love to have one for each student. However, there have been many times (including today) when 3 or 4 would have made a huge difference.
My students have finished the research portion of their planet research project, and are drafting their reports. It is not unusual for a student to be writing and find suddenly that s/he needs one key little piece of information. They need a computer for a few minutes right then & there.
A possible downside is that you have to take care not to let the tool drive the curriculum. It can be a great temptation to desin lessons to take advantage of the available technology, rather than use it to facilitate the achievement of your academic goals.
Reading #2 Mary Scroggs school
ReplyDeleteWould you want to work in such a technology rich school district such as Mary Scroggs Elementary? What would be the benefits or the downfalls of such a school?
After watching this video I was completely mind-boggled on what I saw. It was beautiful and in a perfect world I would definitely support and want to experience what I observed. It is clear that technology is the main focus on creating a learning environment for the teachers, students, and entire school. The main focus is using computers in their weekly schedule. The teacher’s approach on using the computers is incredible. I enjoyed how the teacher’s collect and gather homework using a computer, have a guided reading circle in front of a computer, establish both desktop and laptop computers in the classroom, and finally they create an informative morning show with the usage of cameras, microphones, and sound systems. I also saw students working in peers on graphic organizers. The idea to even announce this must have been amazing. But, the entire school is brand new, therefore, the technology and everything surrounding the school is new. The environment and people surrounding the school are definitely gifted. These people are truly blessed to have the financial support and opportunities to experience this. There are communities that cannot even afford small textbooks, let alone parents that will show up to Parent-Teacher conference. The learning environment in the Mary Scroggs school is one remarkable thing. I am at short of words, because I enjoyed the video so much and wish I could see something like that in person.
Reading #5 A “Fantastic Super” Use of Technology: Closing the Digital Divide.
ReplyDeleteOnce you have come back to reality what problems could you foresee this school having? What do you already do, or could you take from this article to try in your classroom?
Immediately, the first problem I could foresee happening is financial problems. For every day that is made, every dollar is taken out. To have all the access of the technology means bills and money that is owed. Without income or money going into the school in some way shape or form, how are you going to pay everything off? If all is paid for, how is one going to keep the upkeep of the technology? A second problem is it is very rear that a school can obtain this type of educational atmosphere with these technological advances; therefore, the school has to hire advanced teachers in order to understand the technology being used. Also, teacher salary might be a big difference. Let’s face it, a lot of teachers are traditional old school teachers or are not computer savvy. I am sure there are more problems but I have never experienced anything like this before. I would definitely be able to determine a lot more problems if I was there to see this school or talk to some of the teachers or students.
In response to Phils answer -
ReplyDeleteHaving an extra computer would always be helpful when doing projects like that. Say you had access to a laptop wireless lab, would you be interested in using it or do you think that it would be to distracting for your students and they would want to always use them in a sense
"be bored" without them?
Marcus,
ReplyDeleteThe Mary Scroggs school does seem like a perfect world textbook type situation when it comes to their technology and even the building layout. Could you possibly forsee any problems with a school like this in the future such as not keeping up with technology over a couple year span. Could that cause problems?
Re: Philip Linde March 11, 2009 7:29 PM
ReplyDeleteI could not agree with you more, Philip - yes, the tool is to be used to facilitate the achievement of our academic goals. I saw DStar's point (March 13, 2009 7:08 AM ), students might want to be on computers/internet a lot (just as my son got pretty addicted to internet and games), but it depends on how we teachers organize/orchestrate class activities...
Reading #2 Mary Scroggs School
ReplyDeleteI think I would enjoy working in a school like this. It seemed to me that the teachers were comfortable with the technology. They probably had a lot of training on how to use the technology with their students. I think training is the key. Teachers, just like students, are afraid of what they don't understand. If technology is taught to the teachers and shown what the benefits could be I think that more teachers would embrace it. I also liked how this school was set up with the balconies. I personally feel that we need to balance what our students get. We need to remember to take them out into nature and let them explore.
I also liked how the kindergarten teacher wrote with her students every day about what happened on the class website. I might try this on my class website!
Reading #6 Sherman Oaks School: A Seamless Integration of Technology
ReplyDeleteI think using email is a great way to accomplish things quickly. In my school my principal doesn't use email or really any kind of technology. He is one year away from retirement and I think he doesn't trust technology. He wants to get by with what he has been doing.
Using on-line training is a great way to have teachers learn new things on their own time. We are all busy and why not use technology to fit it into everyones life on their schedule. I know there are some workshops I would like to attend, but just don't have the time.
From my previous comment I forgot to mention the downfalls of a tech rich environment. I feel that the downfall would be if there weren't balance in the students lives. I teach pre-k and they need socialization, imaginative play and hands on exploring. We need to keep our students well rounded using technology and traditional teaching.
Hey Dave, you're right (March 13 7:08 AM).
ReplyDeleteCertainly the more the students have computers (etc.) around, the more they will want them all the time. Now, I have calculators for each of my students, and they want to use them all the time, but it doesn't cause any great difficulties. I wouldn't get rid of the calculators, and I feel the same way about computers.
Another point is that many will go on to at jobs where they will be on a computer all day long - more & more jobs are like that, we do everything on computers. In that light, it might not be such a bad idea for kids to learn how to do everything on a computer. Now, I'm not giving up on traditional work skills, but I do feel that my students would be well served if they could receive a good deal more exposure to technology than most get.
In short, I would love to have access to a laptop wireless lab. While we're dreaming, I want a networked station at each student's desk - & a laptop they can carry home. I can think of ways we could use it in all subjects, and I'm sure that once I had it, many more ideas would come to mind.
This is where my "dollar and a dream" take me when I buy a Lotto ticket. (...on good days - on bad days I just quit and travel the world.
Perhaps it's a failure of imagination on my part, but I can't really think of a downside to having more technology available to teachers & students other than those that derive from lack of training or allowing the tech to become the goal rather than the tools (as I mentioned above).
ReplyDeleteThis assumes that said technology has been carefully selected, installed & maintained, and it ignores the problems that come from network crashes and such.
#5 A “Fantastic Super” Use of Technology:
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that living up to the heightened expectations that accompany the kind of hype Mary Scroggs has received can generate a good deal of stress. However, if the school can cope with that, it should diminish with time. Then, if they can continue to evolve, I would expect a very bright future indeed.
As Jessica said above, I was impressed by Kathleen Eveleigh's going over the day's accomplishments and posting them to the class website. What a great way to have the students create a real-life document on a regular basis! And what a great way to let the parents in on what we are doing! Now, how do I fit this into my schedule; I'm always late for special as it is.
For that idea to attain its full potential, we need to get basic technology into all our families' homes. Bell South?
JKittle - I do agree with you on the training that the teachers probably received. The technology coordinator appeared on the video and she was actually giving a lecture on technology. I think having a technology coordinator that is willing to develop training like this is a very large asset to a school district.
ReplyDeletePhil - I do agree with your post on March 14th at 7:30 about computers being an important part of a job. Being realistic, part of a teachers job is preparing students for life and giving them "life skills". Computers are such an important part of society anymore that I feel computer training should be part of the life skills that schools offer. I may seem like I am against technology in some points, that is because I have had some major problems with it during some very unfortunate times (observations from superintendants and principals!) but over all technology and computers are such a key role in education any more that we must teach students how to use them.
ReplyDeleteReading #6 Sherman Oaks School:
ReplyDeleteStaff development opportunities at my school are few and far between. I can't imagine having the entire faculty being sent to a two day conference at "our favorite getaway on the coast". (I know, they didn't go, but they were going to.) As much as I would love to receive my training at any kind of getaway in Santa Cruz, what I am most jealous about is the time commitment. Most training sessions I have been to are abbreviated versions designed to fit a shortened time period, because that's all we can afford.
What I would like - what I believe would be effective - are full length programs for all affected staff, with extra training for representatives who could then serve as mentors. I find that, as one of the resident tech-savvy teachers, I am often called upon to mentor other teachers on an informal basis. I don't mind this, in fact I quite enjoy the roll. I do think, though, that it should be formalized as part of staff development. Having a peer available to help when you are trying out new things you have learned in a training session can help ease the insecurity many feel about implementing technology. Also, this might help get teachers to practice with new programs or hardware over time - much more effective than a single intensive practice period.
Isn't that how we tell our students to study?
Phil: It is an amazing thing the way that the school communicates with each other and the parents. When you say we need to get basic technology into all of our families homes, in a sense, it can come true. The place i work for in the summer donates about four computers a year to families who could use them, children in school, all with programs already on them. They give them to the school and then the school disperses them from their. i think if more people went around and asked other businesses to do the same they would get a lot more compeuters. however, how do you deal with the family that wanted a computer and didnt get one?
ReplyDeletePhil: Reading 6; A lot of schools are using a more mentor teacher appraoch to teaching technology to their staff. They will send a few teachers to a seminar and then they are responsible to teach other teachers who want to use it. However, what happens most often is that not many teachers know who went to what and what they learned. How could this be solved? (use technology?)
ReplyDeleteJKittle: I agree that having teachers use online seminars would be great. However, you said you have trouble making time to attend regular seminars, so when would you make time to do online ones? I do beleive that this is a great idea, but how owuld teachers prove they did it? Would they have to provide some sort of proof of certificate?
ReplyDeleteWould you want to work in such a technology rich school district such as Mary Scroggs Elementary? What would be the benefits or the downfalls of such a school?
ReplyDeleteIt would be an absolute dream come true have access to this kind of technology. They probably had a lot of training on how to use the technology with their students. I think training plays a huge part in the key to its success. Teachers are afraid of what they don't understand and if they don't understand it than they won't use it. Having this technology allows students to learn and keep up in our Web 2.0 world. If money wasn't an issue, then when computers or any other software has a glitch. There would be enough IT help to silve the problem. As we all know, nothing is worst when you can't use the technology because it doesn't work. It would be wonderful to have all those resources and proper training to use in my classroom. :)
I see a trend in the comments of training being an "issue" with technology. People truly are afraid of the unknown especially when it comes to technology. Along with a comment from Phil, teachers and staff get the version of the training that is affordable to the district not what would be most beneficial to the district. This causes problems because it leaves a gray area that still leaves some in the uncomfortable zone in technology.
ReplyDeleteMy school district offers lots of professional/staff development. Now some of the topics aren't as interesting as most would like and we only have technolgy ones offered every now and then. The problem is finding time in our busy schedules to fit them in.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jkittle with online seminars. The convience of having it online would help so many busy teachers. Especially, the ones who are grad students also. There's not enough time in a day. It would be nice to go to a seminar in another destination but funding isn't available for that(not with my school district).
in response to tleotta, about the technology not working properly - I agree that it is a terrible thing when technology does not work and it seems to happen at the most inconvenient times.
ReplyDeleteHere is a scenario for those of you who are still blogging this week.
ReplyDeleteYou have a substitute teacher in your room, and your room is filled with all of these resources, like a smartboard an elmo an lcd projector and several computers, how do you plan for them, how are they supposed to use anything in the room when they barely know how to turn on the dvd player let alone write on a smartboard. How do we handle this?
re: Mary Scroggs school
ReplyDeleteI would love to work in a school with this type of dedication toward technology integration. I like how they encouraged/help low income families to obtain computers and the internet so that students, parents, and teachers are all communicating more. My son's kindergarten teacher(who is great) sends home a weekly newsletter that details what the kids did that day. It would be great if it was delivered electronically daily instead of weekly. It would allow me as a parent to stay involved in his education. (extra practice or even to simply ask about science class or reading) As a high school teacher, it would be nice to see a program like this K-12 with each passing year, the possibilies could expand. In high school in a situation were many students are relucant to discuss the particular events of a school day with parents it could be a great tool to stay in tune with your child's education and busy schedule. In addition, an atmosphere of acceptance of technology would allow the educator endless possibilities in the classroom and projects outside of the school day.
re. DStarr-substitute teacher
I think if you gave specific instructions most subs would really enjoy the opprotunity to explore this option. The key would be to get to know the sub and what they are comfortable with. We have several great subs in our district, some are young teachers who are seeking long term employment and others are retired teachers. Most of them want to teach and not just hand out work sheets, so this would give them the opprotunity to show case their talents if proper instructions were left by the teacher. It could be done, and most likely welcomed by everyone involved.
Dan: The benefit of having younger substitutes in the schools is that they are fresh out of college, and most likley have learned how to use most of todays educational technologies. I see younger subs right out of college being more apt to jump right in and use technology, compared to older retired teachers who might not even know what they are used for.
ReplyDeleteBrandon,
ReplyDeleteI know there are often businesses & governmental agencies that donate computers. Often, however, there is a need for some sort of infrastructure (school based?) to identify potential recipients & donors, and to facilitate the exchange. Of course the other missing part - the more dfficult part - is connectivity. How do we get free or very low cost Internet to those who need it? Our technological needs are increasingly becoming dependent on being networked.
Regarding the mentoring, I would ideally like to see technology specialists who would be given the opportunity/time to become competent in most tech areas. Those people would be the "go to" folks for any tech application/procedure issue (not for hardware problems). Depending on school size/budget/needs, these positions could be full-time or co-curricular.
Responding to Dave's scenario [Mar 15, 9:33 AM]:
ReplyDeleteI used t have a room with quite a bit of high tech equipment. I dealt with it in two ways for subs. First I labeled everything with detailed directions, including pictures. Second, I made sub plans that were relatively low tech. It worked fine.
Had I needed a long-term sub, that would have been different. I would hope that I or some other knowledgeable person would provide training, and that the administration would select a sub who was comfortable learning to use tech equipment. Though with subs in short supply, being picky about who you get can be a real challenge.
With this substitute situation, I have been put in this particular situation, My district prefers us to not write on the interwrite boards with markers, even though you can, so in order to use the board you must be able to turn it on get in the write program and all that fun stuff. Luckily, I had our technology persons child in my classroom :) So if there were ever any problems I made sure to note that they could ask the student for help and if there was an even bigger problem the technology specialist was quick to come to our classroom to fix problems. Its nice to have that connection :)
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I forgot to mention, there's always some kid in the class who knows how to run just about everything - even in third grade.
ReplyDeleteLate submission, but oh well...
sorry!!! I missed the blog this week! I checked before last wednesday and didn't see anything so I thought we didn't have one. Anway, here's my responses.
ReplyDeleteWow. After watching the Mary Scroggs video it makes every other school I’ve worked in seem very underprivileged. This school is really great but I also think it is very unrealistic that all schools would ever be able to have the resources available for their students. In a way it almost seems unfair because obviously we all think that each and everyone of our students deserves would leave elementary school having the knowledge and experience with technology as these students have but it is rarely, if ever, the case. I also was wondering what access the students would have to in middle and high school? It would be a shame for students who have so much knowledge and potential be stunted one they left Mary Scroggs because the other schools they attended didn’t have the resources.
Even though I have highlighted some of the weaker points of the school I really do think that the technology available for the students was great. The idea of getting on the computer at night to read about everything my child has learned/done at school would be really wonderful for any involved parent. As a teacher. . . my mind automatically started racing with all the ways I would enhance my lessons if I had access to video cameras, microphones and that many computers. The physical set up of the building seems perfect for elementary students, especially the classroom porches.
But again…to be a pessimist…how many other schools are there like this in the country? Probably none.
Reading #6 Sherman Oaks School: A Seamless Integration of Technology.As a teacher, what do you view as the best way to perform staff development when it comes to technology? (Seminars, On-Line Training, Classes, Boces)
ReplyDeleteI think it is important to incorporate all different types of staff development because just as students learn differently, teachers do as well. I personally prefer taking classes or seminars where I am visually shown how to do something and then I have the opportunity to practice while learning. Like how this course is designed J I am not sure how beneficial I would find a completely on-line training course. (I guess it would depend on how it was set up.) I have found that classes I took solely on-line I never learn as much in and I often feel lost and confused.
I thought it was interesting how Sherman Oaks “High/Scope” planning was done exclusively through email. One of the major benefits of using email to communicate with staff is saving paper!! However, not all teachers use email. (A teacher I worked with did not even know his login name or password.) Using email then would create problems with teacher not getting information if they do not check their account. I think it could be made mandatory by school districts because email is such a fast way to communicate. (Just as faculty are supposed to check their teacher mailboxes everyday, they should be expected to check their email too.)