Reading #14

Social Media: How to 'Sell It' to Your Team
This article has addressed some of my concerns about how to begin introducing Social Media into not just my school but my classroom as well. Schools are poised against social networking now, and for great reasons. The problem is that they are throwing out the baby with the dirty bath water. Lets face it. Teachers and administrators are overwhelmed with all the things that they already do and by the long list of this still not yet implemented. In addition, it is asking a lot of one teacher to champion a new tool while jumping hurtles that come along the way. I must admit that I have liked the idea of social net working but allowed the barriers in place at my school to stop me.

This article gives steps for beginning the conversation, avoiding barriers and arguments, it gives a few sites that are not blocked by schools, and gives sound advise on how to get started. I think it really boils down to a personal decision to be the conduit of change in your school. I hate to use a cliché, but where there is a will there is a way.

Reading #13

Getting America's Students Ready for the 21st Century
I found this article to be ridiculously long and irrelevant. This is like reading an article on computer programing from the 1970's. Most of the statistics have changed, as well as the nature of the tech divide. It is common sense that poor students will be at a disadvantage. It is also a reality that schools have to make up for whatever students lack, and address their unique needs. The reality today is that the more economically disadvantaged a community might be the more technology that you will find in that communities schools. What we really need to be looking at is the current needs of all students, and make plans to assist them in any way possible.

Reading #12b

Pointers on measuring success — from three programs that work

This article is unique in that it compares schools who have implemented 1:1 computing to look at common treads and ask the question that everyone wants to know: is it worth it? There is a high cost to this and every school has unique needs. Every school went about it differently, and every school had success. Does the improvements in academics justify the cost? Yes, if you don't put a price tag on learning. Clearly 1:1 computing is a great to to individualize curriculum, stir creativity, and promote abstract thinking. In the end though, technology is a tool, and not enough in and of its self. Right now 1:1 computing is a goal or ideal for most schools, and reality will have to wait.

Reading #12

Kansas School District Rolls Out 1:1 MacBook Program

The idea of 1:1 computing in schools has been talked about since computers entered schools. Laptops have made this a reality for a few schools due to their portability. Most people would agree that it makes sense, in fact most see this as an inevitable development. Cost in purchasing and maintaining remains the principle concern, but with time units become more reliable and inexpensive. Student achievement does increase, as did with this school, but computers are not the total cure. Schools still need gifted teachers who function on every facet and level of teaching.

Reading #11

Using Technology to Enhance Engaged Learning for At-Risk Students

This article reinforces many of the article already commented on in every way save one. At-Risk kids, and what I think they mean is Special Education kids benefit from authentic education with technology. To me the point here are obvious because I was one of those kids. In fact, I main-streamed myself. If schools would have used more challenging, authentic, and higher level thinking they would have helped me discover my giftedness early. Putting students in a separate classroom doing basic skills that have no apparent application to real people is a discouraging task. Technology can bring real world problems and the tools for solutions to real people.