iLike iSchool

Considering the advances that the human race has been making over the past 10 years, it somewhat surprises me that the "iSchool initiative" took this long to spring up - and by a 17-year-old!  If we, as educators, seek to properly educate and prepare our students to enter in a technological world, we must use the very tools used in the real world in our classrooms.  Although the use of pens, paper, books, etc. will most likely still be utilized to an extent, advanced technology (in the long run) is a more logical teaching method.

In our Technology in the Classroom class, some of the students argued that this iSchool method of educating will be beneficial for some students who learn that way, but for others, it will be disadvantageous.  However, adding different technology to the classroom does not necessarily create a decrease in actual teaching. Teachers still teach the material the same way they have been successfully for years, but now they have more time-efficient and effective materials to do so.  Interactive games and programs on an iPad are much more appealing to a student than a worksheet.  It makes learning fun!

I do agree, though, that the iSchool initiative could have faults. If we turn to this kind of schooling, there needs to be absolute assurance that the internet works, that students have internet at home, and that the technology will not be faulty or break.  Since the students rely on the iPad and only the iPad for their worksheets, projects, and textbooks, if it breaks, they have no other options.  Educators would have to put a backup plan into place to prevent this from occurring.  Overall, the iSchool initiative is innovative and will cause the students to be well-prepared for a world that is transforming into a technological culture. iLike it.

Online Teaching: An Unexpected Success

My experience with online classes has been mediocre.  While the class was well-organized, it is still difficult to engage in conversation with both the teacher and fellow classmates without face-to-face interaction with them.  My online class also seemed like it was a lot more busy work than my other classes.  Based on my own experience, I developed several preconceptions about online classes that were not true.

First, I thought that online schools were only for students who absolutely unable to attend traditional schools.  I also thought that online school was only for college and high school students.  Another assumption I made was that students' achievement would be far below that of students who attend traditional schools.  After listening to this presentation, I realized that most of my presuppositions about online schools were incorrect.

Beth Day's presentation helped me reconstruct my understanding of online schools.  She explained to us that, while online schools primarily service students at low income levels, they are not limited to those types of students.  Some students simply learn differently, and so online schooling is the best option for them.  However, because most of the online students are low-income students who work jobs in addition to going to school, the level of achievement is not as high as students in traditional schools.  There is not as high of a rate of students who go on to college; many of them go on to occupational work.

One major thing I learned is that students can begin attending online school as early as kindergarten!  I had no idea that students this young would be able to attend school on a computer.  This is mind-boggling to me because going to school was exciting for me! I cannot imagine staying home and going to school on a computer when I was five years old, but I know that for some children, it is the  best (and possibly the only) option.

While online schooling seems credible, and it certainly can be effective for certain students with disabilities, I still am unsure of its effectiveness in the social aspect of school.  Students do not have the ability to interact face-to-face with other students, which is a skill they will need for their jobs and personal lives for the rest of their lives.  One thing that seemed the most advantageous about online schooling was the fact that the teacher has more time to invest in individual students rather than the class as a whole.  The teacher can spend time focusing on a specific student because he/she does not have to worry about behavior issues or other students acting out.

Overall, online schooling is much different than what I thought it was, but I still am unsure of its effectiveness for younger students especially.  For older students, online schooling is most likely just as, if not more, successful.  But for younger students, I believe the traditional school is the best option with the exception of extreme circumstances.

Technology: The New & Improved Way to Motivate Students to Learn

I have never really thought about completely revamping technology until I read this article.  Growing up with the expectation that I needed to try my best in order to receive good grades and go to college, I never really understood the importance of actually knowing the material.  Now that I am in college and I am studying what I want to do with the rest of my life, I understand how important it is to not solely spit back information on tests, but also to retain that information for my future teaching undertakings. 

            In the article, the author explains that if “a Rip Van Winkle-like character awaken[ed] after a century of sleep would see little difference in classrooms of the early 20^th century and those of this the early 21^stcentury.”  How convicting!  Although it is true that we have incorporated new methods of teaching, it is also true that the overall school dynamic has remained relatively constant.  But should it be?  Do students really learn what they should be learning to be effective contributors to society?  The idea of completely revamping the idea of education is an interesting, yet seemingly unthinkable one.  However, technology is one way that can drastically change student achievement.

            Later in the article, the author discusses the culture of possibility and the ways that educators can go about cultivating such a culture.  One of the modifications he suggests educators do is that “the education students receive in school should reflect the changes that are happening within the society and larger environment as a whole” (Roberson 891).  In essence, the material learned throughout the school years should be relevant to what is occurring and changing in society. Students often lack motivation to learn certain subjects because they seem irrelevant to their life in the present moment as well as in the future.  If students were given the opportunity to learn practical material (especially if it was through the mode of technology), they would be much more willing to work hard and actually learn.  Therefore, technology most definitely will improve student achievement because it is a relevant and interesting way that students can learn the material being presented, even if it is a subject that the student is not necessarily interested in.