Submitted by Pete Barcenez (not verified) on August 4, 2006 - 03:02.
I agree with Maryanne's viewpoints on "teacher integration" of technology. teachers modeling computer use is a great demonstration for students. The subject of this poll also leads a few other issues with computing in the classroom still to be uncovered. The cost of hardware and infrastructure are always at the forefront of any discussion. What is usually neglected in "costing" discussions is the software and services that many administrators flock to, as the key to integration success.
Programs such as gradespeed, schoolnet, and other administrative functions serve their purpose and life would be difficult without them, but the essential software for student learning is a little harder to identify. Can a school computing environment be successful with a productivity suite of programs such as MicroSoft Office? Can you integrate technology effectively with just Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint? Many administrators look beyond software packages and consider online services and textbook technology packages. The cost of technology integration is usually lost in this area and failure of many computing efforts are tied to just one or two software packages or services.
I agree that technology in the classroom is a tool. I would like to extend that just a bit further. If you take your car to well-stocked garage with all the latest tools, it still won't be fixed if you don't have skilled technicians with proper training.
Technology is a tool, and computer thinking is a skill. If I asked, "How do you create a calendar?", some of you would do it in Word, some in excel, and some in Publisher, or other software. The point is, you considered the task, and determined how you would complete a task and produce a product. That is computer thinking. It is becoming functional with the tools you have available.
Success in any computing initiative, or any educational initiative, is getting students to pattern their thinking in those ways. Get them to think about being productive, not just being busy surfers and downloaders. Critical thinking is important to technology integration, just as it is with all educational initiatives.
One common problem with technology integration is that "student thinking processes" or sometimes
I agree with Maryanne's
Submitted by Pete Barcenez (not verified) on August 4, 2006 - 03:02.
I agree with Maryanne's viewpoints on "teacher integration" of technology. teachers modeling computer use is a great demonstration for students. The subject of this poll also leads a few other issues with computing in the classroom still to be uncovered. The cost of hardware and infrastructure are always at the forefront of any discussion. What is usually neglected in "costing" discussions is the software and services that many administrators flock to, as the key to integration success.
Programs such as gradespeed, schoolnet, and other administrative functions serve their purpose and life would be difficult without them, but the essential software for student learning is a little harder to identify. Can a school computing environment be successful with a productivity suite of programs such as MicroSoft Office? Can you integrate technology effectively with just Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint? Many administrators look beyond software packages and consider online services and textbook technology packages. The cost of technology integration is usually lost in this area and failure of many computing efforts are tied to just one or two software packages or services.
I agree that technology in the classroom is a tool. I would like to extend that just a bit further. If you take your car to well-stocked garage with all the latest tools, it still won't be fixed if you don't have skilled technicians with proper training.
Technology is a tool, and computer thinking is a skill. If I asked, "How do you create a calendar?", some of you would do it in Word, some in excel, and some in Publisher, or other software. The point is, you considered the task, and determined how you would complete a task and produce a product. That is computer thinking. It is becoming functional with the tools you have available.
Success in any computing initiative, or any educational initiative, is getting students to pattern their thinking in those ways. Get them to think about being productive, not just being busy surfers and downloaders. Critical thinking is important to technology integration, just as it is with all educational initiatives.
One common problem with technology integration is that "student thinking processes" or sometimes