Computers plus

Tonia Roemmich, 11 years ago

Hello, again! Thank you for your patience Ms. Lambeth.

I am not good with just theory, I need to see the practical side of things and so I use scenarios in thinking thru a problem. Therefore, this may be a little long.

When I read the survey about adding computers in the classroom, I remembered classrooms in which there is one or two computers for a class of 22 or 25 students. I remember seeing a 2nd grade class crowding around one small screen so that the teacher could show the students something on the computer. On the flip side if there had been a computer for every student, then all of the desks would be covered by a computer and there would be no access for hands on learning (and the bandwidth required to handle that many computers would be much more than most schools are equipped for at this time). Personally, for the above scenario, I would have preferred to see a video/data projector that allowed all the students to see what was on the teachers computer from their desk rather than just the few students in the front seeing the small screen.

Today, computers are becoming smaller and even items like the ipad may help with space required for use, but though the ipads may give access to internet, they are still a fairly new item and so things like saving projects to a USB stick (and maybe printing?) would be difficult. Also there can be worry in the back of the teachers’ minds about how easy it is for an ipad to “walk out” of the classroom and how hard kids can be on such products. If it is dropped or otherwise abused it is not as easy to replace as a much less expensive book would be. This may deter teachers from using the technology regularly.
If the state of Texas wants to buy a product though, we may be able to get a pretty good bulk price!

I have run through a few situations such as interactive white boards. I have heard of teachers ending up using things like the SMART board much like a chalk board because using new technology requires time, training, and practice. Good training and opportunity to practice with other teachers will save teachers time (which is in short supply when you consider the amount of planning, preparation, communicating with parents, and grading that teachers need to do in a week) and will help them better utilize the technology.

Ideally, I would like to see increased technology in a balanced classroom. That would mean using technology in meaningful ways, while also incorporating hands on activities, school gardens, experiments, debates, and other teaching strategies.

I see educational regions as being a key factor in helping to facilitate and increase the advancement of schools. Educational regions have helped with continued training for teachers, but I would also like to see it as a place that offered more items for the classroom as well. For example, a region could buy software to be made available to the districts. Regions may also consider sponsoring an area wide online debate for classes to be involved in, or online book discussions for students, or “ask a scientist” type resources for the classroom. (Things that give teachers a taste of what is possible.)

I would also like to see a state wide board or forum where teachers can collaborate and share lessons that are in-depth and understandable for the students. (I think Utah has some sort of online education board or resource…I remember finding some fascinating math lessons there.) Teacher collaboration rather than teacher competition (for example the competitive spirit encouraged by the Obama “Race to the Top” program) will not only help teachers better learn about and use technology, but will help them develop lesson plans that may fit a wider range of learning styles. (Collaboration needs to be encouraged at state and school level for teachers to grow and meet a wider range of learning styles, simply because teachers are human beings and humans struggle with change and stretching beyond our natural bend.)

In summary, I would love to see technology used in meaningful and productive ways, but training, opportunity for collaboration, and additional resources are needed as well as balancing the time using computers to additional effective teaching strategies are needed.

I would love to hear from physicians and optometrists concerning “screen time” and would love to hear from computer programmers on what we can expect in the future of educational software/programs and technology.

I also wonder if the state of Texas should look at software the same way we look at buying textbooks? (My mind does not turn off…so I will end here)