To Tech or Not to Tech....

I am back in the classroom after a two year stint as a technology resource teacher.  Teaching 8th grade science.  I am a bit torn.  Last year at this time, I had used computers twice in nine days.  After nine days this year, I have not used them once.  Where is the line?  Most computer programs do not allow kids who use them for assignments to make mistakes; real scientists DO make mistakes.  In other words, I do not see programs for science that allow errors.  Real science makes mistakes; measurement errors, calculation errors and so on.  Software does not allow this.  So when do you use tech as a substitute for a good hands-on lab with real-world applications?

Girls and STEM

According to Education Week, girls are being outperformed by boys in science and tech classes including Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  This gap gets bigger as kids age.  I would have thought that the opposite would be true.  What are we doing to our girls?  Are we purposely scaring them away from STEM related career choices?  And don't even get me started an what we are doing to our African American girls when it comes to STEM.  We need to show our girls that they do belong in the science and tech fields.  My question is, how are you exposing girls to and promoting STEM in your classroom?

Reform in Education?

So I am a liberal. Those who know me are saying "duh" upon reading this. On Friday at MSET I heard 'education reformer' Diane Ravitch (@DianeRavitch) speak. She made me feel like a moderate! Is the state, feds, and business are not fit to decide what is taught to our kids and how it is taught, then who is? Do we really want local jurisdictions and all of their bias' to alone determine what our kids are taught?

Common Core for the Common Good?

Well here we go. The education pendulum has swung back again. When I started teaching in 1991, it was all about skill based learning. It moved to performance based assessments around 1993, then back toward functional tests around 2000, then those went away in favor of this thing called MSA around 2007. Now, MSA is going away to make way for the Common Core; a set of standards that is supposed to normalize content taught in all states in the country. However, my beef with these changes still have one thing in common....tests. Now, with Common Core, many states, including MD are making student test results link to teacher evaluations. 7 years for MSPAP testing and it did not work. 7 years for functional test which did not work, now 5 or so years for MSA and that did not work. Maybe the problem is not the curriculum, or the books, or the teacher. Just sayin'

What does "No parking" mean to you?

So I went to the pharmacy (at a grocery store), parked in a spot and walked to the door. On the way, I passed a car in the HP spot with no tags or stickers stating that it was OK to be there. There were two other vehicles parked in the fire lane where it clearly states "No Parking". I could understand if this was an elderly person waiting for their spouse (but it is still wrong). But this one car was there when I walked up and there when I walked out. As I am driving away, a person younger than me gets into the waiting car.

I ask you, what message are we sending to our kids when we, as adults, do not follow the rules?

Technology overuse?

For a long time now, David Warlick has been one of my favorite bloggers. In a recent post about technology he writes...

"I honestly believe that these educators are seeking new ways to use new information and communication (literacy) technologies in teaching and learning for the very best reasons. But we need better answers than, “Because it’s technology. Our children will do anything if it’s with technology.” ..and “this is the engagement!” pointing at the an iPod Touch.

I continue to maintain that the little box is not what engages them. it is what happens through that box. It is the information experience that…

• Is responsive
• is fueled by questions
• provokes conversation
• is rewarded with currency
• Inspires personal investment
• is guided by safely made mistakes

When we talk about modernizing formation education, this is what we should talk about, not the technology."

In education, these are the things that I feel that we should be discussing instead of test scores. Technology is a tool, just like the book is a tool. Neither should be used to the exclusion of the other.

See the full text of Mr. Warlick's post at http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/?p=3009

Change in the classroom

Check out this video done by kids about how they feel they'd like to learn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGvl5dg3l2M

Traffic and technology

We have technology that will tell us how bad traffic is. Google maps will do this as well and a simple little GPS. So why is it that we still cannot drive? What is with the drivers who seem to be tapping out Morse Code on the brake pedal? Driving into town on Saturday, the brake lights made me nuts! Do drivers not understand that taking ones foot off the gas will also slow a vehicle and that putting on the brake would not be AS necessary if they backed off of the bumper of the car in front of them?
Don't even get me started on the ones who changes lanes in a traffic jam....

$160 Million??

Firefighters, cops and teachers. These three professions make up the back bone of civilization. No police, anarchy. No firefighters, no protection from fires. No teachers, ignorance. But if there was no football, would society fall apart? Would anarchy reign supreme? I think no.

Now do not misunderstand, I do not begrudge that cornerback from the Jets for making his money. I have an issue with those making it possible....us. We watch the news where a QB from the Steelers is accused of sexual misconduct but we buy his jersey. A Ravens LB allegedly murders two people in Fla and the case gets tossed out but we buy the jersey. We say they are overpaid but we buy tickets, jerseys and pay to see the games on TV. But let a politician raise a tax to pay cops or firefighters more...or to hire more teachers and watch the sparks fly.

Is is possible that we need to rethink our priorities as a nation? Unemployment and crime are up, and graduation rates are down. But try to get a ticket for a Redskins, Steelers or Ravens game and they are sold out.

When did you actually eat dinner as a family that was prepared at home? When did you ask your child how school was and really listen to their answer? But I'll bet you know the pre-season record of the NFL team that you follow!

I guess that shows were our priorities as a nation are.

Stay tuned

Just got moved semi-out of the classroom into a tech support teacher role. Any cool tools that you have discovered that I can explore and share with others at my school? Especially those that have to do with collaboration and/or portfolios.

Wimpy Kid?

Check out this pic! I "wimped" myself! Cool mini-ap that fans of the Wimpy Kid books might enjoy!

Wireless is coming!

It appears that my school is going to finally become wireless. We appear to also be getting additional computers. We have many teachers in this building who at tech-no-phobes. Just the idea of using a computer for grading scares them. As a result, they do not have kids using them either. Now I realize that technology is not always the best way to go...hands-on science/math is often a better choice...but what suggestions do you have for getting the resisters on board with technology?

NOVA 5000

I finally found someone here who can get the NOVA's to go live! Cannot wait to use them. Fourier has a great website for such things. Once the kids get a chance to play with, I mean use them, I'll post again about how they did it!

Low Tech question

Got these really old microscopes at my school. The stage keeps moving after the kids take their hands off of the adjustment knobs. Can it be tightened?

Teaching Grown-ups

Taught my first ever class to adults on Friday. I have given workshops and have presented at state and local conferences, but this teaching of a hybrid course is a first for me. Any one have any suggestions?

Grant opportunities

I am in the process of preparing a STEM grant application (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Looking for any advice on anything from who to apply to, to key words to include, to resources/outlines to follow.

I'll take any advice that I can get.

Thanks

The Great Technology Divide

I recently transferred schools, by choice, to another school in the same county. Physical plant aside, I did expect differences. However, I did not expect to see the EXTENT of those differences.

For example:

• Former school, at least three printers for each of three grade level teams
• Current school, one printer for the entire school

Did I mention that these schools are in the same county?

• Former school was wireless
• Current school is not

• Former school had an LCD for each classroom and has for at least two years
• Current school is just now getting them.

• Former school, document cameras in almost every room
• Current school, have not seen one yet

These are only a few issues in ONE system. And we have the nerve to talk about a level playing field. Level for whom? Quality of access to education and technology seems to still be linked to a person's home address! Wow...look how far we have NOT come

Old does not mean obsolete

Last week, I facilitated student learning at The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. The camp was an offshoot of STRI in the Panama Canal Zone. The camp was also in conjunction with Education Motivation. Basically, the kids study the work done by STRI scientists and then mimic their research. It is cool as the kids, unprompted by staff, come up with many of the same questions that are asked by the scientists in the field. That was cool.

Anyway, do you remember the Apple IIe computers and the 5 1/4" floppy disks? I know that I am showing my age (heck I learned computers on a TRS 80!). We gave the kids at the camp old learning games to play like Odell Lake and The Oregon Trail. I thought that the kids were going to laugh at the poor graphics and antiquated feel. But, the kids were doing something that I had not counted on...they were thinking. There were no funky or gory graphics to get in the way of learning. The programs lacked a rockin' soundtrack. The kids LOVED the programs and did not want to quit! Best thing is, they learned and thought and processed information.

Here is the irony, the program will not work easily on a Mac!.

The programs cen be downloaded here. Check them out and prepare to be engaged.

Nova and SPARK

Looking for anyone who has used and compared PASCO's spark handhelds and how they compare to the NOVA 5000 from Fourier Systems. I saw PASCO's stuff at the NECC in Washington, DC and was very impressed. I am piloting the NOVA's for...let's just say I am piloting them and an having some issues.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Including usability, durability and any hidden costs.

NECC Day Three

Day three of NECC, and indeed, the entire NECC conference is over. I learned so much the last few days that is somewhat overwhelming. For instance; Second Life for professional development? Someone needs to help me understand that concept as I just do not get it. Playing a game that I cannot access from school to network with other teachers. What is a professional Wiki or a dimdim or elluminate account for then? And those I DO have classroom access to. Just seems to me to be a bit of overkill.

However, the session on teachers domain was awesome! I had no idea that such a resource even existed. And best of all it is free! Check it out! All activities/lessons are sorted by grade and subject area! Did I mention that it is free?