http://mindshift.kqed.org/2010/12/how-should-we-use-technology-in-schools-ask-students/
Last summer, 15 students from Chicago’s public school system were charged with answering this question: “How can 21st century technology enhance rigor, relevance, and relationships in high school?”
Chicago wanted to bring their classrooms into the 21st century so they hired a not for profit group called Mikva Challenge to help. They asked teachers, parents, community members and students how this could be done.
The students felt that that certain things could be done. Blocked sites like youtube should be unblocked and used for educational purposes,teachers should have professional development to help them integrate and teach technology, phones should be used for educational purposes, and schools should partner with media savvy youth groups.
These are the same ideas that we hear time and time again. School districts often pay a lot of money to implement programs that do not work.
Should more school district follow the lead of Chicago?
Should education be something that is done to students or something they are involved in?
Do you think we should be listening more to students because they have their fingers on the pulse of what is going on in technolgy?
I think we need to listen to students to a degree. We all know how students can get carried away and just say things to make school "less boring". I think we need people in the schools who are masters of technology and know how to integrate it the right way into the classroom. I think we should use things such as cell phones for educational purposes because students are just going to text or do other things on them if they are borbiden.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree with Michelle, You definetly need trained teachers in technology or have teachers that are willing to be trained on the use of technology so that it could be productive and effective. School districts can use the input from students and then try to develop teaching incorporating their ideas. But the input should be given by students, parents and teachers.
ReplyDeleteAlthough if left completely to their own devices, students would want us to completely stop giving homework and difficult tests, I do think it is important to solicit ideas from the students on the best ways to implement technology. They are the digital natives and can probably come up with some great ideas for how to use their personal technology like phones and ipads. Hopefully we as teachers can add our knowledge of the curriculum and learning styles to create some great lessons which use technology in a transforming way.
ReplyDeleteI think student feedback is essential when it comes to developing resources to relate the material to them and their lives. However, we cannot simply surrender all control to the students because they are growing up in the digital age. We do need professional development for the teachers so that they can stay up to date on current technologies that can be used in the classroom. Furthermore, it may not even be a bad idea to include some students in the professional developments so that they can share their opinions about specific technologies or even show teachers a few things.
ReplyDelete