Rxn to Jake's Square Peg/Round Hole
With regard to David Jakes' article Square Peg, Round Hole? ...
David makes some very valid points as do some of the educators that have posted following his article. I agree that connections are critical. Students need to be able to communicate and interact in our global society. We need to provide them with a skills set to support that. (A set that allows them to locate, internalize and synthesize information. A skill set that allows them to speak to various audiences and collaborate with a variety of people.) Web 2.0 tools are an avenue to develop these skill sets. He's right, this means that we as educators should re-examine the manner in which deliver and explore the curricula. It means that we should begin to embrace the tools that will allow us to do this and perhaps abandon activities that may not be practical with the information/resources that are available to us online.
Kelly Christopherson responded to David's article with this comment:
"...We either learn to work with it or shut the schools down because, sooner or later, students are going to figure out that they don't need the schools because they have no application or useful purpose." Consider what's happening with the onset of virtual schools...these establishments are making it work...with much success...It's our responsibility to expose students to these tools that enrich their learning and allow them to synthesize, question and explore it in a safe manner.
The students' world outside of school is often very connected to a number of web 2.0 tools. With some reconsideration on how we approach pedagogy, these tools are applicable to our curricula while allowing us to still meet the demands of implementing state/national standards and other requirements. We can expose the students to these tools and deliver the content we're required to do so if we rethink how we approach it...kudos to you all for taking the first steps to foster change.
posted by Anna @ 2:51 PM
4 Comments:
Anna, Nice job on your blog. I love the design. Is this something you plan to continue using? I think it would be one way our CESA 5 tech. coordinators could stay in touch. We'll maybe have other ideas by the end of the week : )
I am very interested in understanding how you would "expose students to these tools..." As a very practical teacher who insists on accountability, I need to develop a plan which would increase proficiency along with creating a atmosphere for increased motivation and this use of these tools.
@sue: I think I will continue to employ blogging. This tool would be an excellent addition to our district's plc. We could share a variety of information and resources via our blog.
@kathy: To expose students to these tools, I would start with staff development. I'd slowly encourage staff to utilize the new resources allowing them to become comfortable with the tools. Then we'd address curriculum. Where could this tool expand student understanding of the curricula we're responsible for delivering? How could the tool foster collaboration amongst peers, outside experts, people in other countries? Then as teachers grapple with the tool and how it fits for them, I often encourage the teachers to take risks and give it a whirl with their students. Throughout the experience i would work closely with the teachers and students to help them with the project as we move forward. I like to make staff feel like I'm their safety net when exploring new technologies. If they feel comfortable, often times they are willing to take risks to employ new tools.
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