Check it out
http://www.williamf09.edublogs.org

I use technology all the time, but only to support my student’s learning and with due regard for them as rounded individuals. I don’t use it EVERY lesson because I can’t stand the thought of students being educated in the dark (which is what the constant use of powerpoint is doing to them) and because some of my students are losing other, vital abilities like concentrating on each other or listening.

But our school admin has decided that we are to ‘become an electronic school’. To start this trend, our budget for paper-based resources by has been cut by 70%, even if the paper resources are proven more effective for the particular purpose we need resources, and even though our students don’t have any greater access to computer equipment than they did last year. In our after-school study room they have installed a smartboard that cannot be written on with pen, even though this year the maths students spent EVERY EVENING working on problems together. Because of the expense of smartboard pens, and because school leaders won’t let students use school laptops that hook up to this smartboard, our maths students will no longer be able to use this resource. Way to go management. Finally, the school has spent thousands on buying flat, wide-screen screens for the students but they are blocking all forms of video, game or social networking site and will be locking the doors to these rooms at all times meaning that students will no longer be able to use technology in their study periods. By ‘becoming electronic’ we have actually taken away our students’ abilities to use most of the stuff they previously had to support their learning.

Sigh. But at least you made me feel sane

I must admit that it is easier to buy the new tools than to change the teaching style of teachers. PD is not effective IMHO if teachers are not open and willing to change their teaching styles.

Of course, the biggest thing in opposition to this style of teaching is the hyper-testing that we are currently so concerned about.

I am trying to make technology an integral part of what I’m doing with kids because of several beliefs; probably the most important of which being that I know access to technology and comfort with using technology are going to be gatekeepers for kids’ future success AND that there are major inequities related to these skills. Students with families who have access to and comfort with using technology, especially information and communication technologies are going to have immeasurable advantages. Because the “digital divide” falls into racial and socio-economic lines, I know that students who already often face a mismatch between school culture and expectations are the ones most affected by not having access.

I can see that the changes in how people communicate and find/share information will continue to change exponentially from what I’ve known and I want to do what I can to adapt my teaching/learning expectations related to this. I DON’T like the idea of technology as a bribe or a way to make a poor learning experience more palatable.

To me, it still comes down to the issue of how do I find ways to increase my knowledge and comfort with new technologies so that I can make good decisions about what to use and how to use it with my students.

On another note I just finished John Seymour’s book “The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live It”. In a few years I hope to be able to cut that power line and be able to produce all I need.