Comments on: The Next Generation http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/01/16/the-next-generation/ teaching technology abroad Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:45:04 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: mscofino http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/01/16/the-next-generation/comment-page-1/#comment-91 mscofino Fri, 19 Jan 2007 23:33:10 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/01/16/the-next-generation/#comment-91 Perhaps you're right Kelly, we may have to agree to disagree... I see technology as a tool for learning - not the end result, and I do see it as a tool that everyone will need to be able to use, even if only at a basic level - just like a using pencil or being able to read. I certainly don't expect every teacher to be a technology teacher, only that they have the willingness to allow the students to learn <i>how to learn</i> with technology (with a tech facilitators help whenever necessary) within the core classroom environment - not as the focus of their learning, but as a tool to extend their learning and reach new depths with their own inquiry, literacy, communication and productivity. I wouldn't consider this a driving factor, just a realistic expectation of how our students will need to grow up and function in the "real" world. I suppose we just have a different approach to technology education. Just out of curiosity, what are the Saskatchewan standards for tech literacy? Is this something that is part of the national curriculum, or is it left up to the individual teacher to decide? Perhaps you’re right Kelly, we may have to agree to disagree… I see technology as a tool for learning – not the end result, and I do see it as a tool that everyone will need to be able to use, even if only at a basic level – just like a using pencil or being able to read.

I certainly don’t expect every teacher to be a technology teacher, only that they have the willingness to allow the students to learn how to learn with technology (with a tech facilitators help whenever necessary) within the core classroom environment – not as the focus of their learning, but as a tool to extend their learning and reach new depths with their own inquiry, literacy, communication and productivity.

I wouldn’t consider this a driving factor, just a realistic expectation of how our students will need to grow up and function in the “real” world. I suppose we just have a different approach to technology education.

Just out of curiosity, what are the Saskatchewan standards for tech literacy? Is this something that is part of the national curriculum, or is it left up to the individual teacher to decide?

]]> By: kwhobbes http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/01/16/the-next-generation/comment-page-1/#comment-90 kwhobbes Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:39:13 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/01/16/the-next-generation/#comment-90 So, would you say that you have a digital intelligence? When begin to look at the way that people learn, it is vital that we look at their learning intelligence. Given what you describe, it seems that being able to intuitively work with various software apps is someting that comes easy to you. Having an open mind is very important, yes, but having particular intelligences is also a factor. That is why we have thousands of young hockey players who want to play pro-hockey but very few make it. Burning desire does not always do it - there are only so many Rudy's in the world. Like you, I've never had a formal class in any computing yet I find it rather easy to work with all kinds of apps and given the chance can usually intuitively figure out what needs to be done. Not all people are this way. They can learn to do certain things but it is not intuitive. So in my 17 years, I have worked and helped hundreds of teachers with technology. I've also learned that those who do not have the intuitive ability to use the technology don't necessarily not want to use it. It's like reading or math or memory or a host of other intelligences. I applaud that you can work with the technologies and are willing to share this with everyone. As for education, I believe we do have a choice just as we have a choice about what subjects we teach or age groups - not everyone is a senior high English or Calculus teacher and not everyone is an elementary teacher. We can't ignore technology but there is more than technology. We teach children not technology. I guess we may have to agree to disagree on this one. As I watch my 7 children grow, I see that for some, technology may be important but for others, they may need to use it but it won't be what drives them as they have other intelligences. With too many stories and examples for this post, I'll leave it at that. Kelly So, would you say that you have a digital intelligence? When begin to look at the way that people learn, it is vital that we look at their learning intelligence. Given what you describe, it seems that being able to intuitively work with various software apps is someting that comes easy to you. Having an open mind is very important, yes, but having particular intelligences is also a factor. That is why we have thousands of young hockey players who want to play pro-hockey but very few make it. Burning desire does not always do it – there are only so many Rudy’s in the world. Like you, I’ve never had a formal class in any computing yet I find it rather easy to work with all kinds of apps and given the chance can usually intuitively figure out what needs to be done. Not all people are this way. They can learn to do certain things but it is not intuitive. So in my 17 years, I have worked and helped hundreds of teachers with technology. I’ve also learned that those who do not have the intuitive ability to use the technology don’t necessarily not want to use it. It’s like reading or math or memory or a host of other intelligences. I applaud that you can work with the technologies and are willing to share this with everyone. As for education, I believe we do have a choice just as we have a choice about what subjects we teach or age groups – not everyone is a senior high English or Calculus teacher and not everyone is an elementary teacher. We can’t ignore technology but there is more than technology. We teach children not technology. I guess we may have to agree to disagree on this one. As I watch my 7 children grow, I see that for some, technology may be important but for others, they may need to use it but it won’t be what drives them as they have other intelligences. With too many stories and examples for this post, I’ll leave it at that.
Kelly

]]> By: mscofino http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/01/16/the-next-generation/comment-page-1/#comment-89 mscofino Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:07:43 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/01/16/the-next-generation/#comment-89 Interesting perspective Kelly. I think you might be interested to know that I have very little tech background. If you take a look at my resume, you will see that my undergrad degree was in History and Poli Sci, my M.Ed. is in Curriculum and Instruction, and I am currently completing an Ed Leadership certificate course. Therefore, everything I know about tech has basically been self taught. That's one of the reasons why I believe mind-set is more important than skill-set - I can see how much (and how quickly) I have learned about technology in the last 7 years, and it's quite clear that it's a never ending process. It can be very intimidating for some teachers, and to be honest, I quite enjoy helping them realize that it's not as hard as it looks and that we are all capable of learning - all we need is an open mind. In terms of educating students with technology, I believe we don't have a choice - this is part of their future. They will need technology to learn, work and play. We ignore technology and we are ignoring communication, literacy, and productivity. If we leave that out, how are we preparing our students for their adult lives? Interesting perspective Kelly. I think you might be interested to know that I have very little tech background. If you take a look at my resume, you will see that my undergrad degree was in History and Poli Sci, my M.Ed. is in Curriculum and Instruction, and I am currently completing an Ed Leadership certificate course. Therefore, everything I know about tech has basically been self taught. That’s one of the reasons why I believe mind-set is more important than skill-set – I can see how much (and how quickly) I have learned about technology in the last 7 years, and it’s quite clear that it’s a never ending process. It can be very intimidating for some teachers, and to be honest, I quite enjoy helping them realize that it’s not as hard as it looks and that we are all capable of learning – all we need is an open mind.

In terms of educating students with technology, I believe we don’t have a choice – this is part of their future. They will need technology to learn, work and play. We ignore technology and we are ignoring communication, literacy, and productivity. If we leave that out, how are we preparing our students for their adult lives?

]]> By: kwhobbes http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/01/16/the-next-generation/comment-page-1/#comment-88 kwhobbes Thu, 18 Jan 2007 05:38:09 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/01/16/the-next-generation/#comment-88 <i>A next generation teacher is someone who has that “next generation” mind set: the technical know-how is nowhere near as important as the willingness to learn, adapt and grow. For me, this is the future of education (for both students and teachers): learning how to find, evaluate and contribute to the world of knowledge that is very quickly becoming at our fingertips. Let’s hear it for the next generation!</i> Why? What about all those other teachers? One of the great things about being excited about a cause is that it gives you a mission. However, my experience is that in your excitement you'd better be careful not to alienate in the process. Some times when we believe we are right and see the future, we forget that the past teaches us so much regardless of how fast things are changing. One must know when to question and ask and inquire and talk and share one's knowledge and when to sit quietly to listen to what the wind has to say. As for the technical know-how, do you really beleive that? Would you be the same if you didn't have the digital intelligence that you have? Would you so eagerly jump into this if you didn't have the technical background that you have? Hard to answer isn't it? Listen to those who are speaking about this without alienating them. I enjoy the enthusiasm with which you talk about teaching, using new ideas and ways to bring the love of learning to your students. But guess what? I see teachers who don't use the web2.0 tools who do that too. A next generation teacher is someone who has that “next generation” mind set: the technical know-how is nowhere near as important as the willingness to learn, adapt and grow. For me, this is the future of education (for both students and teachers): learning how to find, evaluate and contribute to the world of knowledge that is very quickly becoming at our fingertips.<b> Let’s hear it for the next generation!</b> Hmm. Let's hear it for those teachers who touch children's hearts, minds and souls regardless of how they do it next generation or not. Kelly A next generation teacher is someone who has that “next generation” mind set: the technical know-how is nowhere near as important as the willingness to learn, adapt and grow. For me, this is the future of education (for both students and teachers): learning how to find, evaluate and contribute to the world of knowledge that is very quickly becoming at our fingertips. Let’s hear it for the next generation!

Why? What about all those other teachers? One of the great things about being excited about a cause is that it gives you a mission. However, my experience is that in your excitement you’d better be careful not to alienate in the process. Some times when we believe we are right and see the future, we forget that the past teaches us so much regardless of how fast things are changing. One must know when to question and ask and inquire and talk and share one’s knowledge and when to sit quietly to listen to what the wind has to say. As for the technical know-how, do you really beleive that? Would you be the same if you didn’t have the digital intelligence that you have? Would you so eagerly jump into this if you didn’t have the technical background that you have? Hard to answer isn’t it? Listen to those who are speaking about this without alienating them. I enjoy the enthusiasm with which you talk about teaching, using new ideas and ways to bring the love of learning to your students. But guess what? I see teachers who don’t use the web2.0 tools who do that too. A next generation teacher is someone who has that “next generation” mind set: the technical know-how is nowhere near as important as the willingness to learn, adapt and grow. For me, this is the future of education (for both students and teachers): learning how to find, evaluate and contribute to the world of knowledge that is very quickly becoming at our fingertips. Let’s hear it for the next generation! Hmm. Let’s hear it for those teachers who touch children’s hearts, minds and souls regardless of how they do it next generation or not.
Kelly

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