Building a network in the cloud sounds like a great idea, less overhead, better structure, easier access, right? The problems lie in making sure that the cloud is accessible for all children, that everyone has access to a device with broadband capability.
Along with access students and their teachers would need training in how to access all the programs needed for learning in their classroom, whether the class is in a physical space or out in the virtual world.
One suggestion I have heard is linking businesses with government programs that provide benefits for children who are living on or below the poverty line. Putting aside the fact that no one is supposed to know who those children are, there is the real possibility of stigmatizing a child when they show up with a new tech toy from a "sponsor" that their friends know this student couldn't possibly buy. Can't you hear the conversation? Where did you get that? Who did you steal that from?
I've talked a bit about the technology divide that we currently experience in our country. Tech gear is to our current generation as Calvin Klein jeans were to mine. The only way to avoid that kind of attention is for schools to provide technology for their students, like businesses provide computers for their workers. If we need to have "sponsors" they should be providing or underwriting gear for the whole district.
Businesses should be looking to partner with schools. This is where their next generation of workers are coming from, don't they want them to be ready to work when they apply? Many point to government saying they should provide for our students. I don't believe that to be true. Public education is a shared cost, it's an investment in our future. Tax-payers, government agencies and businesses should be investing in education technology in equal shares.
My two cents.
-AMA
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Differentiated Instruction
We separate children and group them according to ability all the time. Children who learn slowly or who need teachers to give them choices are often labeled as Learning Disabled or Emotionally Handicapped and taken to the Special Education Room for intense interventions. On the other end of the spectrum are the children who learn quickly, they are labeled as bright or gifted and put into Honors Classes or Advanced Placement classes. Then there are the children that learn neither quickly, nor slowly but just move through the paces. They are put in the "regular" classes and rarely get opportunities to shine.
Everyone in education knows that children learn in different ways, at different times and need different forms of input in order to truly learn new material. We know that, but we spend a great deal of time and money trying to fit everyone into one type of learning. Children are not supposed to be one-size-fits-all and neither should our classrooms. So how do you differentiate? Do you continue to separate children and stick labels on them?
Children need a blended learning model. No child should have to be separated from their peers because of learning disabilities or because of their ability to complete tasks quickly. Educators need to move to an inclusive model with handheld devices powered by Classroom Management Systems. With a well developed CMS one teacher can post lessons that are differentiated for all the children in their class. Enrichment activities are available for a child who finishes first, but are also available to the child who needs more time. Children who have trouble with an assignment can send a message to their teacher, who can respond privately to the child. Maintaining teacher and student privacy while giving the extra help needed, on an as needed basis. Teachers can monitor the time on task, create polls to see who understands the materials, adjust lessons for students and create portfolios of student work that show growth over time.
This model of learning is the future of education.
There are classes and schools that are doing this now. Real schools and teachers who are using social networking and classroom management systems to enhance student learning. In schools using this model, students are engaged and actually enjoy learning. Say good-bye to apathy, get blended!
-AMA
Everyone in education knows that children learn in different ways, at different times and need different forms of input in order to truly learn new material. We know that, but we spend a great deal of time and money trying to fit everyone into one type of learning. Children are not supposed to be one-size-fits-all and neither should our classrooms. So how do you differentiate? Do you continue to separate children and stick labels on them?
Children need a blended learning model. No child should have to be separated from their peers because of learning disabilities or because of their ability to complete tasks quickly. Educators need to move to an inclusive model with handheld devices powered by Classroom Management Systems. With a well developed CMS one teacher can post lessons that are differentiated for all the children in their class. Enrichment activities are available for a child who finishes first, but are also available to the child who needs more time. Children who have trouble with an assignment can send a message to their teacher, who can respond privately to the child. Maintaining teacher and student privacy while giving the extra help needed, on an as needed basis. Teachers can monitor the time on task, create polls to see who understands the materials, adjust lessons for students and create portfolios of student work that show growth over time.
This model of learning is the future of education.
There are classes and schools that are doing this now. Real schools and teachers who are using social networking and classroom management systems to enhance student learning. In schools using this model, students are engaged and actually enjoy learning. Say good-bye to apathy, get blended!
-AMA
Sunday, March 6, 2011
"Why would anyone need instruction in digital literacy?"
One of my favorite Twitter Pals asked last week, "Why would anyone need instruction in digital literacy?" Some people might think that Digital Natives, (defined here as anyone under 25) do not need instruction in digital tools or on gathering information when there is clearly so much available to them. Which probably sounds like a really good idea to those people who think that we no longer need educators either. While some digital tools are indeed intuitive and there is a vast amount of information available online, children still need someone to teach them application, theory and ethics.
Let's just start with the tools themselves. In the last five years alone we have gone from desktops to laptops and then handheld devices. The devices are not only getting smaller, but lighter and more compact. Also more powerful. You can now access online tools and games from almost anywhere you can get a signal. Teaching students to integrate new tools into their learning is essential for continued growth and development as learners. Helping them to apply those tools into learning situations will teach them to be adaptive in real work situations when they graduate.
Since students can receive information anywhere, this means that learning doesn't have to begin and end with a school day. Most students I know are becoming hybrid learners. They don't just learn in the classroom, part of their learning is done online. Secondary schools and Universities are putting their lectures online as podcasts. Students can watch these podcasts from some of the best teachers in the world about subjects they are interested in, but when it comes time for them to explain what they have heard, most will not be able to. Why? Because just hearing and seeing is not enough. Students need to interract with a teacher in discussions, enforce content of an online lecture through reading and apply new learning to a product so that it can be synthesized into their experience. In theory students can get all the information they need to create something, but without instruction will they?
Finally let's talk ethics. Children are dying in our country because we underestimated the power of Internet Communications. Sexting, Social Networking, Cyberbullying...All of these opportunities for students who have not been told that something is wrong to get themselves in deep trouble. So my question is, "Why wouldn't anyone need instruction in digital literacy?"
-AMA
Let's just start with the tools themselves. In the last five years alone we have gone from desktops to laptops and then handheld devices. The devices are not only getting smaller, but lighter and more compact. Also more powerful. You can now access online tools and games from almost anywhere you can get a signal. Teaching students to integrate new tools into their learning is essential for continued growth and development as learners. Helping them to apply those tools into learning situations will teach them to be adaptive in real work situations when they graduate.
Since students can receive information anywhere, this means that learning doesn't have to begin and end with a school day. Most students I know are becoming hybrid learners. They don't just learn in the classroom, part of their learning is done online. Secondary schools and Universities are putting their lectures online as podcasts. Students can watch these podcasts from some of the best teachers in the world about subjects they are interested in, but when it comes time for them to explain what they have heard, most will not be able to. Why? Because just hearing and seeing is not enough. Students need to interract with a teacher in discussions, enforce content of an online lecture through reading and apply new learning to a product so that it can be synthesized into their experience. In theory students can get all the information they need to create something, but without instruction will they?
Finally let's talk ethics. Children are dying in our country because we underestimated the power of Internet Communications. Sexting, Social Networking, Cyberbullying...All of these opportunities for students who have not been told that something is wrong to get themselves in deep trouble. So my question is, "Why wouldn't anyone need instruction in digital literacy?"
-AMA
Thursday, January 27, 2011
How Does Your School Handle Snow Days, Long Term Illness, etc..?
Not long ago, people in the United States were worried about a possible pandemic of Swine Flu. Children and parents were told to stay home if they exhibited symptoms of influenza. School Superintendents discussed the possibility of shutting down their schools due to illness if an outbreak occurred. In the north we've experienced frequent snow days, three so far this January. So how do you keep children focused on learning with these kinds of disruptions?
With the advent of electronic information exchange, it's possible for schools to create extended learning networks. Teachers prepare work ahead of time for days when students cannot get to school. In the Kearsarge School District, students can make up work using their Blizzard Bags. There are lessons to be done with or without power. Teachers agree to be available to students through Skype or Moodle on these days and if 90% of students turn in the work within a week, it counts as a school day. Reducing the number of overall days that students and teachers have to make up at the end of the year. The Kearsarge area is mountainous and prone to heavy snowfall and response to this program has been very positive.
That's not to say that this will work with all children. Some children really need the structure of a school day in order to focus. Our public school systems were designed to create students who were ready to work in factories during the industrial revolution. As schools and learning adapt to changing learning patterns and differentiate instruction for all learners it's important to be open to new ideas. Kearsarge I think you are onto something!
-AMA
With the advent of electronic information exchange, it's possible for schools to create extended learning networks. Teachers prepare work ahead of time for days when students cannot get to school. In the Kearsarge School District, students can make up work using their Blizzard Bags. There are lessons to be done with or without power. Teachers agree to be available to students through Skype or Moodle on these days and if 90% of students turn in the work within a week, it counts as a school day. Reducing the number of overall days that students and teachers have to make up at the end of the year. The Kearsarge area is mountainous and prone to heavy snowfall and response to this program has been very positive.
That's not to say that this will work with all children. Some children really need the structure of a school day in order to focus. Our public school systems were designed to create students who were ready to work in factories during the industrial revolution. As schools and learning adapt to changing learning patterns and differentiate instruction for all learners it's important to be open to new ideas. Kearsarge I think you are onto something!
-AMA
Friday, January 21, 2011
Monitoring Legislation - What You Put In Is Almost Always What You Get Out
Over time most people learn that there is a relationship between how much personal energy you invest in something, and how good any product will be that you turn out. The same is true for education. Being fully vested in education has made me a better teacher and student.
Let's face it, most of us (people who have jobs, school or both) do not have time to keep track of legislation in our respective states. For public educators, it's especially important to recognize where your resources come from: representatives at the local, state and federal levels. Since it is not parents and students who directly support you, being a great teacher does not guarantee you a job anymore. Especially in tough economic times.
Though most states and unions do their best to keep as many teachers as possible working, on occasion people elect legislators who think it is simply too costly to educate public school children. While it's true that some of the costs associated with public education come from special education, ESOL programs, administrative salaries, testing and supplies, when you start really peeling away the layers it boils down to salaries and benefits for teachers. With some public officials it doesn't matter how hard you work or whether or not students are learning, all that matters to them is the cost associated with education.
That's why it's important to monitor ongoing legislation in your state. All states have Education Committees. These committees are made up of elected representatives and governed by administrative rules set by the state. Most of these committees have web sites where you can see bills referred to them.
There are two particular things you want to pay attention to when reading legislation.
#1 Anything that is associated with funding will have a special code FN which stands for Fiscal Note.
#2 Anything that changes teaching standards.
If you are part of a professional association in your state, you're in luck. Most organizations have an Advocacy or Government Relations person, who knows how to keep track of these things. Pay attention when that person sends you an email asking for action.
Not a joiner? Go to your state web site and keep track of what's going on at the Capitol. Write when you see changes that may have an adverse effect on student learning.
Education is an investment in the future, what you put in is almost always what you get out.
-AMA
Let's face it, most of us (people who have jobs, school or both) do not have time to keep track of legislation in our respective states. For public educators, it's especially important to recognize where your resources come from: representatives at the local, state and federal levels. Since it is not parents and students who directly support you, being a great teacher does not guarantee you a job anymore. Especially in tough economic times.
Though most states and unions do their best to keep as many teachers as possible working, on occasion people elect legislators who think it is simply too costly to educate public school children. While it's true that some of the costs associated with public education come from special education, ESOL programs, administrative salaries, testing and supplies, when you start really peeling away the layers it boils down to salaries and benefits for teachers. With some public officials it doesn't matter how hard you work or whether or not students are learning, all that matters to them is the cost associated with education.
That's why it's important to monitor ongoing legislation in your state. All states have Education Committees. These committees are made up of elected representatives and governed by administrative rules set by the state. Most of these committees have web sites where you can see bills referred to them.
There are two particular things you want to pay attention to when reading legislation.
#1 Anything that is associated with funding will have a special code FN which stands for Fiscal Note.
#2 Anything that changes teaching standards.
If you are part of a professional association in your state, you're in luck. Most organizations have an Advocacy or Government Relations person, who knows how to keep track of these things. Pay attention when that person sends you an email asking for action.
Not a joiner? Go to your state web site and keep track of what's going on at the Capitol. Write when you see changes that may have an adverse effect on student learning.
Education is an investment in the future, what you put in is almost always what you get out.
-AMA
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