Journal # 3: Keeping the Peace
Levinson., M,. (2009). Keeping the peace. Publications L&L, 37(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=February_No_5_4&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4495&ContentID=25237&DirectListComboInd=D
This article discussed a situation that came up at a middle school called Nueva. The middle school tried piloting a new program that allowed a one to one ratio of students to lap tops. Students began to widely use I –chat and instant messaging program before, during and after school and these lead to an up roar from parents. Then when they tried to ban this program from the students they responded in a similar matter. There were some parents who found this program and the software on it particularly helpful because it allowed this particular student to be able to spend time socializing with her friends since she was a commuter student. Many students had problem with the school because they didn’t know how to sensor these programs since they took place at school most times. To help combat these problems this program now has a boot camp at the beginning of school to orientate the students how to use their lap tops. In addition there are also boot camp training seminars that teach faculty members, teachers and parents how to use the computers and how to led discussion with them throughout the year.
Why might programs like the one mentioned in this article be useful to students? Programs like these are helpful to students because not only does it give them firsthand experience with different, useful, types of technology. But also helps them to be able to be more creative and reach outside the realm of an average everyday classroom. Computer technology has so many useful programs for students helping them learn about them earlier will only help them more in the end.
What also possible ways could the schools try to work more closely with the parents with this program to help so that both sides are content? The boot camp idea is a push in the right direction but I think that a major idea that has to be hashed out before hand is to show parents how far technology has change and emerged. For most parents they only see the bad of children using computers they never get to see how useful and important these computers can be to and for their child’s education.
No comments:
Post a Comment