Un-professional Development

There are two very different points of view on one to one computing for students. Two articles, opposite points of view.

The first one is from the New York Times. To summarize, the article explains how some schools are removing laptop computers and reducing computer access for students because there is little or no data supporting that use of computers in school helps student meet or imrove on State Standard Exams. Many teachers are finding that the computers are “in the way” and that they are used for cheating on tests and instant messaging with their friends. Some teachers believe they cover more content without the computers. Other factors influencing the decision to remove computer access is the technical difficulties and the extremely high cost. These scchools aren;t feeling like they are getting much “bang for the buck”

The Second article is from eschoolnews.com that highlights how technology really does work in schools. It debunks some myths about technology and gives examples of how some schools are moving forward and doing amazing work with technology as a learning tool.  Consider the following:

“Among the projects that the Star City students have undertaken are an awareness seminar on the opportunities for women in high-tech fields; a comprehensive, anti-drunk-driving program, which has led to collaboration with the Arkansas State Police on a statewide video campaign; and a seminar titled “Enough is Enough,” involving local self-defense instructors and the Arkansas Attorney General’s office, that aims to raise awareness of the issues of child abuse and abduction. Any of these seminars would be worthwhile for local teens to attend, but the Star City students are actually coordinating and developing these activities. They are taking charge of their education in a way that benefits their whole community.”

The report goes on to say:

But that’s not all the students from Star City are doing. They have developed and hosted a senior adult technology training program that teaches basic technology skills to the elderly in the community… They have collected oral history of the wartime experiences of local veterans…”

It may not meet “State Standards” but does it sound like the kids are working and learning something? I think it does.

Kids today are digital kids. They don’t know what it is like to cross the room to change the channel, or to go outside because there is nothing on CBC or CTV. They are immersed in technology from the time they are infants. They are wired differently than we are. They learn differently than we did. A computer, no matter how powerful, cannot replace a teacher as there are skills that needs to be taught and there is NO substitute for qualilty classroom mangement, supervision and good planning. The content can be learned in many  different ways.

We can “cover” the material, or we can let kids experience it, work with it, mould it, and learn from it.