Don’s 632 Blog

This is just a log of thoughts about some of the materials read for the EDUC632 class. One article was about the use of technology at an alternative school where students were placed who had a variety of disciplinary issues and learning challenges. Working in the computer lab seemed to change students’ attitudes for the better and also decreased the number of discipline problems. Was the improvement in attitude due to working on the computer and doing something a student liked doing, or was it because the student was doing what he/she wanted to do and not what they had been asked to do by a teacher? To many people happiness is doing whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it.

Another story had to do with a school with a low socioeconomic status, high minority population and a huge staff turnover. State test scores dropped at this elementary school. Technology access was expanded both at school and at home. Software dealing with core academic subjects was made available and parental involvement was encouraged. There was a dramatic gain in academic achievement. I feel that the emphasis on core academic subjects, increased involvements of parents, and the increased access to technology all contributed to the improvement.

Another story described how a teacher who was uninterested in technology used the school Web site to just post materials for his students to review before tests. His students improved academically. It should be noted that the students took advantaege of what was being offered to them. The increased used of technology would not have helped if the students had not used them.

Another article dealt with learning from the students. Sometimes as instructors we have our own ideas about how to use technology, but sometimes the students can come up with new ways to use the technology.

Another article pointed out that administrators have to be sold on the use of technology in education for it to really be used in a school. Teachers need the support of principals and superintendents to really implement technology in the educational process.