Most-Clicked: Technology Has the Power to Transform Schools

The future is now at Boston's Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School. In last week's most-clicked ASCD SmartBrief story, we learned about this school with no textbooks, one laptop per student, parent-teacher IM conferences, and online drop boxes for homework assignments. Leveled software is used to differentiate learning experiences, and built-in automatic assessments help teachers pinpoint students' instructional needs. Advances in technology have also expanded the role of online courses in shaping schools—digital curriculum is going global and, some say, decreasing the number of teachers needed in a classroom.

Replacing outdated textbooks with laptops, increasing student engagement, and more focused one-on-one instructional time—is there a downside to increasingly automated learning?

Comments

[Norma Leguillon]

I am new at blogging. I found Technology Has The Power To Transform Schools, interesting. Since today’s students are interested and knowledgeable about computers I can see this being the way of the future. With the “No Child Left Behind” law, how do they accommodate Special Ed. Students, who might not be able to master the computer and navigate through their classes? Also, how do students get socialization skills and a sense of community? Will TV. Be replacing all these? Will we be living behind locked doors watching TV. Or living through TV. One wonders about the future of society.

[Michael Warren]

I agree with the first poster... computers and technology are beneficial, but it is also cutting off students from learning how to socially interact with 'real' people. They are losing all kinds of manners and etiquette, simply because that is not expected online when they communicate with others. Some technology like the Ipod, texting cellphone, and IMing is really ruining the art of communication

[KarenJanowski]

To respond to the comments above, for some students, use of MP3 players, cellphones and getting rid of textbooks makes the curriculum accessible for the first time. And some students are quiet or need extra time to process in class so they rarely participate in class discussions despite great ideas. Technology provides differentiation and for some students, offers them a voice that they never had before.
You may want to look at Ira Socol's blog post, "Toolbelt Theory" here http://tinyurl.com/4smk2x for an important perspective. Too many students are prevented from participating because of the tools we currently limit ourselves to in our classrooms. It's time to equip and empower our students, even our struggling learners.

[Chandra Black]

The article ,Technology Has the Power to Transform Schools , is very interesting,but it seems as though we are trading one problem for another problem. The article stated that discipline was down 30%, but can that student interact with his or her peers outside of the classroom? Can that student participate in a job interview?

[Jennifer]

Wow, when I first started reading this article, I was very surprised at the experiment. I figured there would be so much opposition in that community with such change. As I continued to read, it really did start making sense. As a former computer teacher, I know that there are absolutely limitless opportunities on the computer and Internet. There are awesome programs that have the ability to cater to students with all kinds of needs. I believe that a slow immersion into this type of environment is needed, but I do forsee the takeover of this type of classroom in the near future.

[Shannon]

After reading this article I feel myself caught in the middle. Like some of the other posters were saying, I too am worried about the lack of social interaction. The children of today are becoming so dependent on technology for communication but what happens when that technology fails? I think so much is gained from group work in school. I wonder if students are still able to work on things together and share ideas. On the other hand, if there is software that could better meet the needs of all of our learners I think we should take advantage of it.

[Ashley]

In response to Technology Has the Power to Transform Schools, I believe that technology is crucial to todays learning but also it sounds like some schools are eliminating almost all social interactions that should be taught in the classroom. Also as was mentioned above, what happens when technology fails? Lab tops are bound to break down and lose important information. Since students learn in so many different ways I believe that technology is important to have in school, however I don't believe that a school should get to the point where all interactions are done through technology. The internet is a great resource to use as a reference but not as an everyday all day thing.

[Roy]

Technology is a great thing when it works. Our system is one of the top when it comes to ttechnology. We have four labs, two carts with 15 laptops each and smart boards in each room. This is just at the High School. Even with this technology we still are unable to make AYP. I have students in my classroom that can take a computer apart but can't pass a test. Different strategies have been used but nothing works. They become frustated and shut down. What to do?

[nik]

I believe everything needs to be done in moderation. Students love when they are able to use the computer during class time because it is almost like a reward for them. It gives them a break from the monotonous of the classroom. But when all you do is use a computer as the primary instruction, I believe it takes away from the usual fun that a computer does bring into the classroom, and then it goes back to being monotonous.

[Denise Lee]

I have recently been trying to incorporate more technology in my classroom. Currently, we have laptop carts where teachers could check out for class use. My students love it! Some of the teachers also have been given Smartboards to use in the class and I'm amazed at how much you can do with that. I think having a variety is the key. It is very beneficial for students to get a taste of learning about technology because as we know, they will need those skills later on in life and in school. Computers also add excitement to a lesson and draws students in. But at the same time, we shouldn't rely only on using computers because not all students may benefit from these tasks. Having a variety of learning tools is the key because every student learns differently and we need to make sure we reach all students.

[Andy Zucker]

A new book discusses the role of technology in schools and how it is helping transform schools into more effective institutions. Obviously, technology is not a panacea. The book is Transforming Schools with Technology: How Smart Use of Digital Tools Helps Achieve Six Key Education Goals. A description of the book is at http://www.hepg.org/hep/Book/78 or on Amazon.

[Mary Kurvers]

I think technology is the classroom is a wonderful thing. I am a teacher working on a Master's degree in integrating technology in the classroom. Notice, it is integrating, not replacing. As we educate our students to enter the world, they will need to be comfortable with using a variety of types of technology. They will also need to be able to communicate and interact with people in real life. Those communication skills are learned by working with other students on projects, papers, various learning tasks. This type of highly important interaction would be missing in a soley computer based classroom. There are many ways (and advantages) to communicating via computer, but that can't replace talking to a person face to face. I do think there is some definite credit to the computer based classroom as an alternative for some as long as some social interactions are promoted as well. There are many ways to educate our youth. It is a teacher's job to use the best method for the materials you have and the students you have each year. Perhaps online learning will become one of the best methods, but just like all other teaching methods, what works well for one may not work well for all.

[Lisa]

I am a 3rd grade teacher & I have been interested in the topic of incorporating technology into the classroom for a while. I have had the experience of teaching in a small private school where the only technology available to us was a very old computer with the ability to play learning games such as Jump Start. Now I teach in a public school where there are so many more options for teaching my students with the support of technology. It was all very new to me last year, and this coming year I am really looking forward to learning even more ways to advance my students' learning through technology.

I see the complete relevance of technology in the classroom and was intrigued by "Technology Has the Power to Transform Schools". It is truly amazing to me what advances are readily available and what can be done with these resources. However, I agree with many of the comments above. There definitely has to be a balance between the world of technology and the world of interacting with real people. I believe that our goal as teachers is that our students would be well rounded in all areas. After all, isn't this why we teach more than one genre of reading and teach more than one way of writing. I love the fact that using technology enables many students who otherwise do not fit the traditional "student" mold to have learning success right at his/her own level, whether that be a student with disabilities or even a gifted student. But I know that we cannot overlook or dismiss the need to teach children to be able to interact with real people in real life situations. Social skills are just as important as learning in an up-to-date, technologically advanced manner.

[kate]

Not only can technology reform our classrooms it can also help reform us. If you are like many teachers today you don't have the time to dedicate to a college class for your recertification. And in today's economy you don't want to use the gas money to drive a long distance either. I had a similar situation but mine was due to a time restraint. I rushed to send in my paperwork for teacher recertification just before the due date. Sadly, I received notice that I didn’t have as many credits as I thought. I frantically scoured the internet trying to find quick, inexpensive courses accepted by my state, Georgia. I happened across KDS (Knowledge Delivery Systems.) I was able to get the credits I needed from the comfort of my own home for only $60 a course. I watched an online video, took a quiz and proceeded on to the next lesson. At the end of the course I sent in a “final” exam and was awarded the credit for that course. I was able to get the credits needed for my recertification in the short amount of time I had. Check it out at www.kdsi.org.