Kids & Technology

In Gov't class today we are broken up into 2 groups. They have to present their summaries of the Federalist's Papers. I informed them they could use any means to convey their summaries.

What I now have in progress is ONE MOVIE with their own music and the other group is working on the Team Board. Both groups are having a blast with assignment. It will be fun to see what the end project will be. I will keep you posted.

PS - the team boards are very limited we are finding out. Nothing at all like the Smart Boards.

"Field Experience INterviews"

To be able to listen to these students talk about their experience was of great value. To know what the students want and what they like is of such value to teachers. What is of importance to students was to be able to work with a piece of equipment themselves. I would have to agree becasue that is how I learn best - with actual hands on time.

Teamwork was another aspect that the students voiced that was fu for them. A lot of students had actually been in after school technology clubs that really help execel what they were learning in class.

I would love to do a web page for each of my 7 classes but I just don't have the time. I need to find a student who would like to get that project going. Now my brain is on overdrive to try & figure out how to get this done.

These students gave me the courage to try & do a web page for atlest one classes. They all voiced that technology would help them get a job in the future. All their experiences helped them become a member in this great world society.

One More Thought!

"All Learning is self-taught" made me think long & hard about how I teach. At the secondary level, teaching can be like pulling teeth. If you said this to my 11th graders they would just laugh and say that it is the teachers job. Their parents & the state also say the same thing. So until there is a educational revolution, good luck!

But if you do make it student centered, and not teacher centered you solve a lot of problems. At this level they need to be lead and reinforced with feedback not only from the teacher, but from their peers. Feedback can come from the world wide web also. But there area dangers to WWW that as teachers we need to protect our students from those people who miss use the technology highway.

This is a saying I will keep to remind me, of how learning should be for all people.

Self-Taught

What a great article. I am one of those kids that learned the best by hands on. I can see kids taking this to the next level and helping their fellow classmates. Technology embraces different learning styles and enhances those of us who thinking differently. Left- brain linear kids as well as well as the right -brains kids can ALL find their way working with a computer. Whether it is working with photos, music, movies, presentations there is something for everyone to work with.

How to move technology into the classroom without losing your teaching staff is the next question. I love technology but there is a lot of people who don't. How to bring this set of tools to everyone is a real big question, which I have no answers to.

The more that I learn about technology, the more I want it in my classroom for the students. I can see them working on projects that will open their eyes and make them feel like they really accomplished something special.


Now how do I become one of those teachers?