Math, technology, education, and beyond

Below is an email that I have sent to my teachers and a few colleagues that I find very helpful when trying to help others understand their role with integrating technology.

I ran into this quote today in my research reading.  For those of you who don’t know, Karl Fisch is a leading expert in technology integration.  He interacts with educators around the world on how to include technology into education and what it actually means to today’s world.  His blog is widely read, and he has created videos and posts to help others understand the role of technology in today’s world.  I offer you this quote from him to help you release any pressure you may feel about technology and education.  We’re not trying to force technology into a lesson.  We want to do what’s best to make sure we get a lesson to be the best it can for our students.

“It [isn't] about the laptops. You should use them when you think they are appropriate and can enhance and extend your students’ learning. And you should leave them shut away in their comfy carts when they don’t….Please, release the pressure - we are certainly not intending to place it upon you. Do what’s best for your students - every day.” - Karl Fisch

The director of the office of educational technology for the US Department of Education Tim Magner recently released a list of books that should be read to help discuss how technology and education go hand in hand.   The list was published by the Wall Street Journal, and it’s a pretty good list.  From Will Richardson to David Warlick to Marc Prensky,  this list is definitely a good one.

However, it is somewhat disheartening that we only have a book list.   Aren’t we talking about educational technology?  Why can we not have a blog list as well?  True, there is a lot of great information out there in books (By the way, I think Daniel Pink’s A Whole New Mind should also be on this list), but where is the discussion held?  True, there are times where many of us will get together, be it PETE&C, NECC, or CFF Coach Boot Camp.  We have had many great discussions at these and learned many new things.  But this discussion is ongoing.  I can read Will Richardson’s blog, post a comment on it, and get a response from someone in Oregon.  Now, a new conversation has opened up.  I can see how someone does something in Oregon, and they can see how I do something in Pennsylvania.

Does this discussion occur after reading a book?  Well, there can be some discussion.  First, I must find another person who has read the same book.  Then, we have to find a time to hold the discussion.  With commenting on blogs, I can have the conversation at my discretion.

In the end, I have to sit back and reflect on this link that was sent to me by my colleague Jim Gates.  If the top dog in the Department of Education for the US is recommending a list of books, they have to be pretty good, and they are.  But why are we only seeing a list of books and a few links to  websites that most technology integrators have already seen?  Why are these links restricted to those that aim toward elementary students?  How far behind are we still?  We’re in the 21st Century, and we’re still trying to catch up to the 21st Century Skills that are needed yesterday.

I think slideShare is going to be my new favorite toy.  I love that I can have students go back and review the notes by going online.  It’s not really any extra work for me, as I only have to convert my Keynotes to .pdf’s and then upload!

[slideshare id=143268&doc=section-27-1193154269386898-1&w=425]

Today, many area schools have gotten together to obtain training on Polyvision whiteboards as well as to begin collaboration between CFF schools. We are meeting at Warwick High School in Lititz, PA. Thanks to Jeff and Fred for hosting!

As we are going through the Polyvision training, we are seeing many great things! One thing that is discouraging is that we are going through a lot really quick, so we don’t get a chance to really sit back and figure out how we might be able to use this. However, our trainer is willing to arrange a time to present a webinar for us, and she also offers other services as a virtual mentor, such as researching virtual labs, manipulatives, games, and activities, provide basic tech support, and help with lesson plans. She has mentioned that she does not get many emails asking for help, but I imagine that the CFF coaches and teachers may actually start sending some info.

I know there is a lot I will be able to do, I just wish there was a way that I could do more hands-on right now.

Time for a short break, so I will return…

We’re back from break and now we’re looking at Easiteach, which we can put on each teacher’s computer who has a Polyvision board.  One thing that I know I need to do when I return to school is to look at working and learning more about both Webster and Easiteach.  This means I have a bit of reading and playing to do, which will be taking up a lot of my time over the next week or so.  We might even want to take advantage of Carissa saying she is available for webinars, which could be helpful.

We have gotten to a point where we have slowed down now, and we all seem to do be doing much better with obtaining this information.  I wish we would have gotten this information when we obtained the whiteboards.  It is unfortunate that, at least in our situation, we were learning a lot of this on our own on the fly.  I had no training on the whiteboards other than walking into our new building with our tech director, plugging it in, and going from there.

This is interesting being on this end of a training.  Carissa is up in front of us going through everything like it is second nature to her, as I imagine it is.  While she is doing that, many of us are working with the programs for the first time, or we have very limited experience with it.  Is this how it is for some of our teachers as we offer professional development?  I think sitting through sessions like this offers insights other than just the training itself.  I have now realized that I need to make sure that, just because it comes naturally to me, it might take time for others.  I think I’ve said that before.