Education Technology's Dirty Little Secret

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Permalink Reply by Mandy Lindgren at CASLS on January 7, 2009 at 8:12am

I love the idea of the MOUSE Squad. What a great idea to get the students involved. Thanks for the links!

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Permalink Reply by Kev on January 7, 2009 at 6:51am

We are in big trouble at my school. We had nothing when i came on 6 years ago (bought my own projector, my own laptop, all the cabling, etc.) We then got an EETT Grant that put 3 computers in every classroom. We've also purchased speaker systems for each room, projectors for most and Response devices for about a quarter. Now the grant is up and the computers we bought are rapidly dying. We're not sure what we're going to do.

To add to this fun little story, I have come to find that where maintenance decided to mount my projector (which, is not where I asked it to be) it sits right in the path of both heating vents in my classroom. I cannot run the projector when the heat is on! I don't control the heat (not even the off switch...) so I'm stuck whenever it comes on. I have, once again, had to bring in my own projector so I can set it up elsewhere to avoid the heat issues.

I'd argue, in light of both of these issues, that money while a problem is not nearly as much a problem as a lack of long-term planning. Our district last year hired a new tech coordinator and the guy, so far, has been awesome. I'm interested to see how he can change the culture over there to think more long term about technology.

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Permalink Reply by Tamra Lanning on January 7, 2009 at 7:04am

Wow..I'll never complain again! Hope things are on the upswing for you.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on January 10, 2009 at 4:01pm

Our district (30,000) kids does a great job in providing the hardware--new machines every three years. My 500-kid elementary school has 3 student computers in the classroom, 2 labs, and three wireless carts. Now, if kids in the general classrooms actually used them for more than typing and powerpoint and testing, we'd be set!!

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Permalink Reply by Kevin H. on January 7, 2009 at 11:34am

After our computer lab was dismantled to make space for classroom, we went a few years with no technology at all -- just broken down PCs scattered about the building. A new principal came in and quickly secured some state grants that allowed our school to move from the lab model (drop your kids off and leave) to the rolling laptop model (bring the tech to your classroom). This has been coupled with new desktops for all teachers, but even that is now a few years old.
What we are missing is more professional development and a tech coach to help teachers understand the integration of tech into their curriculum.
There is no easy answer to the question here ... access is a critical piece of a comprehensive technology initiative in this country. Too many school districts use their technology in a space which is then used for standardized testing, blocking out teachers and students from using it.
I suspect the impending budget-tightening now under way will mean little new funds for technology.
Kevin

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Permalink Reply by indigo196 on January 7, 2009 at 7:24pm

I think taking a look at what is 'actually' needed vs. what is wanted is crucial.

I see teachers and administrators asking for technology and then notice it going underutilized. I see some administrators using two or three machines... or getting a new laptop every year. I have seen teachers 'destroy' laptops on vacation (sand and salt water inside the computer when we repaired it) and take no responsibility for the 'accident'. I have seen people demand Apple computers despite the cost of such units being as much as double what a non-Apple computer would cost. If there is a solid reason for an Apple - get one... if it is just so you can be seen as 'hip' or because you like the equipment from a style standpoint - don't ask for one. At the same time I have seen the replacement cycle for my district stretch and stretch as the budgets have become thin.

Districts really have to consider the value of Linux on the desktop (take a look at Edubuntu and what comes free with that). Ubuntu is available for PC, 64-Bit PC and Intel based Mac architectures. At least 256 MB of RAM is required to run the alternate install CD (384MB of RAM is required to use the live CD based installer). Install requires at least 4 GB of disk space.. Couple Edubuntu with older equipment and some new mice and monitors and you have a very formidable, stable and inexpensive learning tool.

Districts have to evaluate the use of $200-300 netbooks for student computers.

Districts need to evaluate using thin clients.

There are many ways to save money by avoiding the Apple and Microsoft traps -- the question is if student needs can be met or not... teachers have to be open to trying unfamiliar solutions so that they can be evaluated.

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Permalink Reply by Mandy Lindgren at CASLS on January 8, 2009 at 8:51am

I love your point about evaluating what teachers and students will be using the computer for and then purchasing the best machine to accomplish that. I find it difficult to communicate the value of getting what you need in a culture focused on consumption and buying the latest and greatest just for the sake of having it. Few people understand when an Apple is most appropriate and when a non-Apple computer will work just great. One issue we run into a lot is licenses for specific software programs. Not everyone needs a license for the Microsoft Office suite; there are great open source word processing applications that meet the majority of people's needs.

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Permalink Reply by garyb on January 10, 2009 at 11:10pm

comes down to consume someone else's content or comment( as we are doing here) or create material from the diverse usual sources.

the apple is a creation machine..the netbooks are consume/comment machines eg forget movies!

the appropriate tool for the job is only way to go with entrenched approaches, if money is not the issue but education and curriculum then it's a different answer to the question

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Permalink Reply by indigo196 on January 11, 2009 at 7:39am

Apples are create, consume, comment machines. Apples are also more locked in than other machines if you stick with the default OS. The sad part for me is that there are many great software programs on OS X that due to Apple's focus on selling their hardware at a premium are not available for other OSes.

Netbooks might currently have some limitation on creating video projects, but that does not prevent them from being used as 'creation' machine. Students can use them for word processing, web page editing, programming and live video streaming.

In order to properly evaluate the tool one has to have a clear picture of what the process and outcome is.

Using Microsoft Word to teach business communications is acceptable, but demanding Microsoft Word to teach business communications shows a disconnect between what the target knowledge is. I am positive that business communications could be taught using Open Office just as easily. If you are teaching Microsoft Office then by all means you need that product. The same would go for making movies. If you want to teach how to mix and create movies you do not need iMovie because LiVES would work just as well.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Heiser on January 8, 2009 at 10:09am

I look for and have found low tech and high tech examples for teachers. I'm trying to emphasize change in practice and encouraging the teachers I work with to emphasize higher order thinking skills and how tech is used as a tool. It seems the misconception of tech for some is that technology a silver bullet that will make it all better and become frustrated when it goes south because the lesson was poorly constructed.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy Stephens on January 8, 2009 at 4:49pm

The one item that really jumped out at me in your list of the challenges to effectively using Web 2.0 was the phrase, "unclear visions of the role of technology". I think everything else hinges on this.

A related article that supports this idea: CoSN. Digital Leadership Divide: Without visionary leadership disparities in school technology budgets increase. Washington DC: CoSN.

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Permalink Reply by Antwon Lincoln on January 9, 2009 at 4:47am

Tammy hit on a very important point. LEADERSHIP. It will take focused leadership on every level to help move the vision forward.
-Community Leadership
-Classroom Leadership
-Site Leadership
-District Leadership
-Business Leadership
-State Level Leadership
-Federal Level Leadership
and you!

If you have time, the report that Tammy brought to this discussion is fascinating. CoSN. Digital Leadership Divide: Without visionary leadership dispa... Check it out!

Moving forward will be challenging. But someone needs to lead the way.

****************
I am loving the ideas on this discussion, and encouraged by the challenges. Keep them coming. The community is benefiting from your willingness to share. If you know of anyone who could benefit from the posts of those who contributed, LEAD THEM THIS WAY. We just might be on to something!

Thanks
Antwon

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