They don't get it
I am pulling my hair out with admins about what exactly should be covered in an IT curriculum. Half of them can only see a PC or Mac as some kind of magical typewriter that does not require White Out and magically sends out letters without a stamp. I keep trying to tell them that in a few years even typing will be gone, as we know it. (Thumb typing maybe, but QWERTY touch typing is becoming less and less essential.) And all they want to see is PROJECTS...ah...and when do the kids actually learn to manipulate the MACHINE...global Windows skills and learning to SELF teach from the Windows system. "Oh the kids should master Office 2003"...really? That's nice...problem is Office 2010 is coming and 2007 was a shock to most of the admins whereas my kids had no problems because they have intuition and can self-teach in nearly any program. I am really thinking strongly of leaving this field because it's a daily battle.
Any advice or ideas????
Any advice or ideas????
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jacqui Murray on -
He Andy
I wondered the same thing (about where kids were supposed to learn mouse skills and keyboard skills--basics) when my admin told me they were going to get rid of my lab and move tech training into the classroom. How's that work? Where do the kids learn the problem solving (check power to the CPU, Ctrl+Z is undo)? Which program is right? I have very happy parents and I think they interceded, because I got another year of lab-class collaboration.
Anyone out there know if it works to teach the basics while you're going through a project? Sounds like each would get in each other's way. Like the Whole Language stuff California taught for a while that didn't work.
-
Permalink Reply by Sue Palmer on -
I think you need to do both. I have been using tech in projects and have had to teach skills as I go along with many students who are behind the rest of the class. It takes time which I don't really have and it would be great to have a push in tech person to help with my classroom needs just as I have for special ed.
I just do it myself as best as I can and the other students do help as well. I generally do them as group projects for just that reason to promote collaborative learning.
Have you folks ever seen this video? It is a great study on kids teaching themselves. I have it in my training moodle.
The kids part is about half way through if you don't want to watch the whole thing.
-
Permalink Reply by Jacqui Murray on
-
I'm a fan of student-centered learning. My issue is: How do they learn tech skills while they're doing a classroom project? To me, it's like learning art to draw Ancient Greek icons. Yes, that's one way, but it's not really learning art.
Maybe I'm saying, tech is a subject, as is math and science. The push to integrate technology into classrooms ignores/brushes aside the need for tech as its own subject. For example, I teach writing skills in the tech lab (every time the classroom teacher and I collaborate on a project, I reinforce her/his rules on writing), but if I were all students learned of writing, they would be shortchanged.
Same goes for technology. If all students learn of technology is what the classroom teacher teaches (she would be the first to admit she's not an expert in that area), they are shortchanged in my career choice.
-
Permalink Reply by Linda Jones on -
I advocate that IT needs to be embedded into the curriculum. Maybe that would help with the teaching of the IT.
-
Permalink Reply by Sue Palmer on
-
I agree Jacqui. I would propose that we do both. Students will master skills they use more frequently. It would be great for me to have a resource teacher but I agree that many skills need a class. Absolutely!
-
Permalink Reply by Jacqui Murray on
-
How do they handle tech in your school, Sue? As an exploratory (I forgot Jack's term--this is what my school labels us) or a class or a 'special ed' add-on? I'd be interested in your experience.
-
Permalink Reply by Sue Palmer on
-
We have a tech director and support who helps with training teachers and assisting student issues. We cover a bit of tech in our tech classes and business classes, but these have been cut this past year. I guess I would say that it is clearly viewed as an add on and was hacked when they needed money for the budget.
I try to incorporate it into all of my projects and work in my history classes because I feel they are not getting much of it elsewhere. My at risk students really respond to it as well and it makes my class more fun.
I have a tech director whis is amazingly supportive and helps me where ever she can.
I am very lucky that way. I will be starting to use twitter this year as a pilot and without her I would be lost.
-
Permalink Reply by Jacqui Murray on
-
What grades do you teach? I checked your profile, but I guess I can't see much unless we're colleagues. Maybe at your school, they figure tech training is done in the business classes?
I work with K-5. Until they disband my lab, I'll cover essential tech skills and collaborations. I can't see how to do one without the other. -
-
Permalink Reply by Faith Shabat on -
Hi, I've been following your thread and it sounds like you have the same setup as me. I teach k-4 in a computer lab. I try to integrate tech skills within fun projects. I try to reinforce the same skills throughout every application ie - cut and paste in Kid Pix, Word, Photoshop. My goal is for them to eventually learn to figure out things for themselves (like we do!) The best tactic for me is to work with the teachers who are open to collaborating and hope that their enthusiasm will be contagious to other teachers. It seems to work, albeit slowly! Then, I always hope that I'll have more teachers pushing the administration for more technology (rather than me being the only squeaky wheel all the time!) Good luck everyone. It's great hearing that others share my frustrations, and you've all given me lots of new ideas. Thanx!!
-
Permalink Reply by Jack Hutchinson on -
That is the point...there is NO way to teach IT skills AND teach writing and math at least in my case in 45 minutes per week...which is 24 hours a year. Thus the title of my posts..."THEY DON"T GET IT"
-
Permalink Reply by Sue Palmer on
-
Andy~ Great point. We also need our states to make it part of our curriculum. I understand that is underway or the case in some states.
-
Permalink Reply by Jack Hutchinson on
-
Yes most states are trying to do this...big problem...some towns have OODLES of cash for hardware and software and some towns have no money.
How in hell do you write one size fits all IT curriculum for an entire state?
Again I shall yell from my rooftop....THEY DON"T GET IT
Commercial Policy
If you are representing a commercial entity, please see the specific guidelines on your participation.
The Fifth Year Anniversary Book Project!
Related Links & Events:
EdIncubator
EdIncubator" projects are designed to help education projects or initiatives build advisory councils with real educators, administrators, parents, and students giving real feedback. Current projects are below.
Groups interested in participating can contact Steve Hargadon directly.
Support:
Classroom 2.0 is a free site. You can support the network by making a donation (any amount):You can also support us by using our Amazon search link:
Thanks to support from:
Badge
About
Follow
Awards:
© 2012 Created by Steve Hargadon.
