Tech Anthro

So, Timm and I went and swam in the tech waters of Mt. Edgecumbe High School this last week, and found somethings that we did not know. For one the only real way to get questions answered about the technology landscape is to ask a human. I had trouble finding most of what was needed to know from the web, due to broken links or empty pages. Next, it is darn near impossible to get one of the tech guys to be in one place for more then a minute. But finally when Timm and I did get someone to talk to us we got some answers, some of which i didn't know. For one, how to sign up the computer labs. Since I am in a math classroom and we have our own computers, I was unaware that the labs are a first come first serve buffet. I also became aware that the administration loves technology, especially since it is the way to the hearts of the students. I am amazed at how students respond to technology and how they respond when it is taken away from them. If i have to take an ipod for the day a student feels like a part of them is missing. They won't comeback at the end of the day for a missing assignment, but a confiscated ipod is a different story. It seems that some schools would just rather have white boards and computers only for the purpose of office applications. I maybe off on that, but that is what i have seen before. I also realized how much work it is for the tech guys to keep up. As great as technology can be, it can be a real pain in the butt when it isn't working. For more on the assessment check out my full report....

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=ddkc6s39_0cvcqm7&hl=en

Jeremy

Listen to the natives

Sep. 13, 2007

Listen to the Natives

By: Marc Prensky

Overview:

This article talks about the school landscape in the 21^st century. How students are sprinting with new technology and teachers are playing catch-up with one foot in the past. The author states that students/children are no longer “little versions of us” but rather calls students/children in this century “digital natives”. Meaning that they are native speakers of technology and the digital language of computers, video games, and the Internet. He states that as the technology evolves so will the students. The change will be so rapid that we won’t be able to keep up. The author states that we must take our cues from our student’s 21^st century innovations and behaviors, and abandon our own predigital instincts and comfort zones. This means putting engagement before content, and encouraging decision making, involving students in decision making and getting input on how the students would teach class. Teachers don’t need to master all the new technologies, but should do what they do best and that is leading discussions. The author states that students have mastered a large variety of tools that we will never master with the same level of skill. Furthermore, that these tools have become extensions of their brains. The author also states that we should embrace these tools, such as cell phones, rather then outlaw their use in the classroom. The author states that the key to literacy in the 21^st century is likely to be programming. That all students, to some degree, are programmers. The author states that the curriculums of the past are interfering with the curriculums of the future, and we should be making room for 21^st century learning.

Reference points:

1. “Our students, as digital natives, will continue to evolve and change so rapidly that we won’t be able to keep up.”
2. “As 21^st educators, we can no longer decide for our students; we must decide with them, as strange as that may feel to many of us.”
3. ‘The informal, exciting half of kids’ education occurs “after school.”’
4. ‘…the real reason we ban cell phones is that, given the opportunity to use them, students would “vote with their attention,” just as adults “vote with their feet” by leaving the room when a presentation is not compelling.’
5. “All 21^st century kids are programmers to some degree.”
6. “If educators want to have relevance in this century, it is crucial that we find ways to engage students in school.”
7. “Our schools should be teaching kids how to program, filter knowledge, and maximize the features and connectivity of their tools.

Reflection:

I had a little trouble with the article. It was informative and insightful, but some of the ideas that were presented seemed a little too existential for my taste. When he said that students should be able to vote with their attention, I thought that most student might just choose to not pay attention because it is easier to goof off and play a game on their cell phone then to pay attention. I do agree that the tools of the 21^st century are becoming an extension of the owners. It is amazing what a student will do to not loose that part of their person. I also agree that teachers need to make instruction more adaptive to the times. It is a little harder in some subject areas, but it can and should be done. The days of the chalk board are numbered, especially as technology becomes more and more readily available. I don’t know how old Marc is, but I thought that he was a little hash on himself and the people not born of the digital age, although I could see where he was coming from by saying that some teachers still have a foot in the past. The student today needs technology to grow in the 21^st century.

Futuring

How would you “grade” or assess Fox Becomes a Better Person, and School Train?

I would assess both assignments in two contexts, one with how the lesson was covered and the other with the presentation. I would first give a grade on whether the students followed the guidelines for the lesson. If they needed to show understanding of a certain concept they would first and foremost need to show such an understanding. I would assess the content by establishing the different levels of understanding of the topic. Next I would assess the delivery of the materials. What is it that they are trying to say? Is the message clear? Is the topic being covered? How does the assignment look and sound? Is the story original? Since this is a presentation assignment I would also assess the presentation skills used. Are the presenters speaking clear and loud enough? Is everyone getting a chance to speak/participate? Is there eye contact? How is the presenter’s body language? These are the things that I would look for if I was grading these two assignments.

What impacts could the developments portrayed in epic2015 have on your classroom, particularly with respect to things like podcasting?

The developments portrayed in epic 2015 could have a large impact on the way that students would view the world. Especially, with respects to how connected they would be with the world. This is not to far off from what we have now, the Internet connects billions of people everyday. The thing that I find most interesting about epic2015 is the fact that they have everyone reaching out to see the world and get a bigger picture, then they bring it back and people go more local with the technology. It continues to get more and more specific and personalized. This has started to happen in the present with websites like my.yahoo.com and other personalized web pages. As technology gets to be more and more personalized through podcasts and personal “communicators” (for lack of a better word) it will make the classroom more and more personal to the student. I think that it would allow students to roam more freely and decide their own path of education. The Internet and podcasts would be right at their fingertips. Not only could they access facts from credible websites and podcasts, but they could access opinions from millions of people around the world. It would further connect everyone to everyone changing the way that students learn, and thus changing the way that teachers teach.

Cross country and seating charts

Ahhh today was a good day. I ran with the cross country team, which is not unusual both Timm and i have been doing that for around two weeks. the women ran 4.5 miles and the men ran 6 miles. That was the first time i have done that in like 3 years. Not gonna lie it felt great. There is a pretty strong team here at MEHS. And the kids seem to have taken to both Timm and myself very nicely. They call us coach and look to us for answers. I love coaching, it is one of my favorite things to do, so i feel right at home.
On another note i had to implement my first seating chart in fifth period algebra. Not my favorite thing to do, but it had to be done. Over all the students are pretty good, but for some reason the students in that class fell in with the obnoxious unruly student. It will be interesting to see how they respond to the new rule.
Well, i am not a man of many words when it comes to this type of thing, but it is going to be a nice outlet. JB out

check check

testing testing.....