Advertisement
Rate this Video
Turning on Technology: Using Today's Tools to Study Yesterday's
A field trip from Ferryway School, near Boston, to the nation's oldest ironworks is captured with the latest tech. More to this story.
| About This Video | Download
Release Date: 06/25/08
Running Time: 10 min.
Video Credits
Produced, Written, and Directed by
- Ken Ellis
Coordinating Producer:
- Amy Erin Borovoy
Editor:
- Karen Sutherland
Production Intern:
- Neil Tan
Camera Crew:
- Rob Weller
- Keith McManus
- John O'Connor
Narrator:
- Michael Pritchard
Original Music:
- Ed Bogas
- © 2008
- The George Lucas Educational Foundation
- All rights reserved.
Close window
This video is available as a free download from iTunes U. Download video
If you do not have iTunes on your computer, download iTunes here.
Downloaded videos are designed to play on computers and PDAs and are most appropriate for personal or small group viewing.
My name is Lenica Ruiz, I am
Submitted by Lenica Ruiz (not verified) on November 13, 2008 - 12:35.
My name is Lenica Ruiz, I am a preservice teacher attending classes at Arizona State University, the Polytechnic Campus. The faculty at Ferryway School is doing an amazing job with integrating technology into their curriculum. I think it is very important to for to students to be creative with projects by adding their own special touches to it. By using technology in the class whenever possible, is certainly the way to attain this goal. To have a group of teachers all working collaboratively towards one goal is inspiring as a future teacher.
I am a preservice teacher
Submitted by James Tomberlin (not verified) on November 12, 2008 - 03:29.
I am a preservice teacher attending classes on the ASU Polytechnic campus. I thought that the model being used at Ferryway School was one which could be very successful, but needed the support of the district and school administration, as well as funding, to be successful. I like to believe that all teachers want their students to experience success and to learn and grow as individuals, but I also think that sometimes educators can feel as if they are in a skirmish with the administration and fighting a losing battle over budgeting constraints. I think it is wonderful that these educators took the time to plan this curriculum, apply for technology grants, and follow through by broadening the scope of the new program to include the fourth grade, due to its success. This is the type of learning environment I think we all would like to be a part of when we are in the classroom.
I am a pre-service teacher
Submitted by Suzie Sinclair (not verified) on November 10, 2008 - 12:57.
I am a pre-service teacher at Arizona State University and I believe that technology in the classroom is a must. This video was such an inspiration. The teachers and staff at Ferryway High have done a remarkable job incorporating technology into the classroom. I think that by taking one concept and incorporating all of the subjects is a wonderful way for students to be successful. I look forward to integrating technology in my classroom in the future.
Students Can Have Fun and Learn
Submitted by Michaella Palmer (not verified) on November 5, 2008 - 15:18.
My name is Michaella Palmer and I am a pre-service teacher at ASU in Mesa, AZ. We are learning so many things in school, but I have not had the opportunity to see some of these "theories" implemented. The teachers at Ferryway School are doing this very well. It is so exciting to see that teaching can be fun for us teachers and students. As teachers we have to be skilled at integrating all of these subjects with technology. What fantastic projects they are doing. I hope that when I have my own classroom I will be able to implement the same types of activities where the students are in control of their learning. There is not a better way for them to learn.
Technology and Teaching
Submitted by Leticia Velarde (not verified) on September 17, 2008 - 19:14.
Watching the video was inspiring to see teacher work cooperatively in bring together this project. The idea of webbing the different subjects like English, math, science, history,and art under one project-amazining! This is such a wonderful project I hope in my future teaching, I am apart of such a dynamic program. The students appear to be fully engaged in the activity. The students walk away with a larger understanding of problem solving, cooperative learning, and collabrative learning. This is so exciting to see learning become alive and personal which these students will never forget.(At least I wouldn't if I had this opportunity in school as a child).
Technology and Teaching
Submitted by Leticia Velarde (not verified) on September 17, 2008 - 19:00.
I am a preservice teacher at ASU. Watching the video was inspiring about the possiblities that teachers working together can make. The teachers developed a dynamic learning experince working with technology and covering multi areas including English, science, math, history, and art. The students took away a larger understanding of problem solving, cooperative learning, and collabrative learning. The hands on learning reached a larger population than conventional text book studying. Using the internet and other resources, the students appeared to be fully engaged in the project. Not to mention the reward of going on the field trip to Iron Works as part of the completion of all the assignments the students work on is wonderful. This project is wonderful.
Pre-Service Teacher
Submitted by Erinn Holloway (not verified) on September 17, 2008 - 17:43.
I too am a pre-service student at ASU. Before the economic crunch, I was fortunate enough to homeschool my children. My methods of teaching were very similar to the methods that these teachers used. I stand firmly, that unit studies are a very effective way of teaching.
I often wonder who these so called curriculum specialists are for the districts. I am very dissappointed in the overuse of worksheets and boring often innacurate text books. No Columbus did not discover America. I hear from the teachers in my school that they often feel bogged down and burned out by the scripted curriculum. No wonder the kids are bored and misbehaved! I am actually concerned that I'm going to have to onform to the worksheet/lecture method of teaching! EEK!
It is interesting that the students of these pioneer teaching methods are scoring higher than kids who are forced to use the standardized curriculum. Maybe this should be taken in consideration before we teachers are forced to spend so much time dibeling are kids and teaching the tests.
Perhaps if we spent more time teaching
using innovative methods, our education system would not be in such trouble.
Students Excited
Submitted by Katie Adams (not verified) on September 17, 2008 - 17:35.
This video gives me hope that students wont dread the classroom as much! My favorite part of the clip was the students making and testing their own spinning wheels, to see the anticipation on their faces was amazing. In contrast, it was nice to see the students figuring out for themselves what they could have changed to make theirs more effective. It is amazing what these kids can learn when they really put their minds to work. A student can only sit and listen to a lecture for so long, but when they are able to use their favorite technology tools they become engaged in a way that no lecture can compare to. Also I heard a teacher in the video mention that they were well above the average grade for 5th graders and I don't doubt that, they all seemed eager to learn, I also like the boards where they could chose a, b, c, or d and it tells how many picked which answer, it reminded me of who wants to be a millionaire. If this technology had been available to me at that age I think I would have been more interested in learning. Great information!!
Technology in Schools
Submitted by Melissa Hoffman (not verified) on September 13, 2008 - 11:43.
It is such a delight to see so many students engaged in new technology! The hands on approach builds intrinsic motivation and a real feeling of accomplishment. The students worked wonderfully in groups, which is an important skill all on it’s own. I was completely impressed by the Iron Work’s Project. The students were developing skills in such a variety of subject areas. The video helped me to see the importance of technology in our classrooms. The student response system is a great way to keep students participating in class discussion. I am anxious to see these tools utilized in our schools everywhere!
Teacher In Training
Submitted by Amanda Baker (not verified) on September 8, 2008 - 12:33.
I am a "teacher in training" and I think this article is interesting because the students are able to learn something from the past and then use it in their classrooms today. The thinking process is amazing to watch. I truly believe in teamwork as well. The students are able to collaborate and learn a life-long lesson.
Post new comment