tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post4336105241239327300..comments2024-03-28T11:36:22.391-04:00Comments on Half an Hour: Responses to Questions on Technology and SchoolsStephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post-90874266496183774132010-09-26T20:09:46.043-04:002010-09-26T20:09:46.043-04:00In response to the question regarding which new te...In response to the question regarding which new teaching tools have produced positive results, you state that by “positive results” people generally mean higher test scores. I totally agree that positive results stem more from creative expression and other areas that are conducive to a good life. <br />Learning should not simply be measured by memorized material or a pre-existing set of criteria. Technological learning tools like YouTube and discussion sites provide an almost unlimited “class size.” To this I would also add that technology in the form of an online class allows for students who are perhaps introverted or lack confidence may gain confidence in a setting where the entire class is not looking at them. Students who would not participate in a traditional class setting are afforded the luxury of not being seen or even heard in some cases. Shyness, which is a personality trait that cannot be controlled, inhibits traditional classroom participation. Technology stimulates expression. <br />In response to the question on what the school of the future will be like, you state, “not a school at all.” The picture actually says it all. A student in India learning about geography and a student in China studying history may participate in the same blog. The possibilities are literally endless. Technology allows students to be socially interactive with every aspect of what they are studying.Lisa Eatonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post-32735357222784637472010-09-22T20:57:52.840-04:002010-09-22T20:57:52.840-04:00Hm, I have to say that I appreciate your approach ...Hm, I have to say that I appreciate your approach to technologies in the classroom. With all of the recent hype in the media about technology use in the classroom (esp. in the Toronto District School Board), I find that many educators today are getting caught up in the idea of finding ways to use technology in the classroom that they forget what they should be using it for (i.e. to help students learn). I think many of us today are mesmerized by the flashiness of these gadgets and we are trying just so hard to keep up with them. Is it enough to keep up? I don't know if that should be the goal (or whether that goal is even really possible today, considering how quickly these things change). I know that technological advancements help us to find faster and more exciting ways to do things, but sometimes...perhaps it would be best to consider that not everything needs to be done quickly or in a flashy way. I think, realistically, the lure of technology in the classroom is that it gets kids interested in the classroom. But then...are they really interested in the learning, or in the gadgets? Gah! How to tell?<br /><br />I like your comments about technology being "immersive" (ever-changing, constantly fresh and refreshed) aids in the classroom, unlike the static textbook that sits on the shelf for years until the new edition comes out with only superficial changes made. I suppose the appropriate question is....Is this immersive tool information overload for our students? Does putting the world at their fingertips take away something from their desire to explore/struggle/discover/think? If the answers and resources are never too far away, are we encouraging our students to be resourceful, rather than to be thinkers?Rosiehttp://rosiediclemente.edublogs.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post-41098650877415913852010-09-19T15:40:31.532-04:002010-09-19T15:40:31.532-04:00I am particularly intrigued by the answer to the q...I am particularly intrigued by the answer to the question about which of the new teaching tools has had more positive results on learning. Thank you for bringing up the fact that "positive results" don't always have to do with test scores. Test scores should not be the only measurement of what is successful in regards to learning tools. The idea of test scores being the only measurement of success for students has always bothered me. You mention a students' "quality of life" as being the ultimate measurement of success. To this I would definitely agree with you. If a student feels good about what they are doing and how they are doing it, then the end result should not hold as much weight. <br /><br />Technology offers many ways for students to engage and "put themselves out there." You mention being expressive and creative as being an important part of "positive results." To that I would add that while many students do enjoy being expressive and creative in a traditional classroom setting, many are very shy, and the online learning environment allows for these students to engage and still remain somewhat anonymous. <br />You also distinguish the difference between teaching tools and learning tools. If students are learning who cares where the teaching comes from? <br />The artwork that illustrates the idea of the school of the future is fabulous. With the advancement of technology, the "learning environment" of the traditional classroom can be expanded to include a mountaintop in Switzerland and underwater coral reef diving. Professional resources that can be consulted via the internet alone actually make the teacher's job to be one of guiding rather than instructing. HMMMMMMM>Lisa Eatonhttp://leaton34.edublogs.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post-7299873249589095442010-09-14T20:17:08.653-04:002010-09-14T20:17:08.653-04:00All versions of the drawing are available here:
ht...All versions of the drawing are available here:<br />http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_downes/268691876/Stephen Downeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post-49565617388207980682010-09-14T19:26:24.163-04:002010-09-14T19:26:24.163-04:00can you post a higher def picture of your drawing?...can you post a higher def picture of your drawing?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post-11463993599444603122010-09-03T20:40:39.441-04:002010-09-03T20:40:39.441-04:00In the past seven years of supply teaching, I have...In the past seven years of supply teaching, I have noticed an increase of technological tools in the classroom. There are more computers, laptops, SmartBoards, and digital cameras in the classroom. The equipment is increasing. There is better access to up-to-date resources that come from all parts of the world. Students and teachers do need to learn how to think critically when they view information found on the web. I would ask you to go to this website so that you can look at it critically: http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/.<br /><br />The students do still use textbooks for many of their subjects. I do think that in ten years, the textbooks will be web-based and interactive. The students don't have access to iPads or anything similar in the classroom yet.<br /><br />One problem with internet technology is not having access to different websites. In my school board, YouTube and FaceBook are not accessible. As a teacher, I do think that I can get a special account to access these sites. The students can't. Yes, there is a lot of garbage on YouTube. However, there is plenty of good stuff also.<br /><br />I don't think that formal schools will disappear are they are community centres where students learn to interact with each other. With improvements in technology, it won't matter as much that students memorize different information such as grade-four students memorizing the provinces/territories and their capitals. Yes, they will need to implicitly know them. It will be more important that they can explain the significance of particular provinces and major cities such as "Why is Vancouver important to British Columbia and Canada?"<br /><br />I do think that technology will make learning better for both students and teachers. Will it make us any smarter? I don't think so--at least not exceptionally smarter. I do think it will make us more creative in our learning as we can read information, watch videos, and input various kinds of data so that we can view and interpret the outcomes.Skinny Dipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12818163310102120130noreply@blogger.com