Technology and Tests

After reading the article about schools with laptops for every student, it is clear that there is no research showing that laptops increase learning. Or rather, learning that is assessed by standardized tests. The article pointed out that what kids are learning by using their laptops isn't measurable by traditional tests. They are learning some technological skills that are very practical in everyday life, as well as learning about topics that they are researching online. But unfortunately, many practical skills (like being able to navigate the web) aren't assessed on traditional tests. So that leads me to question whether our tests are testing for the right skills.

As we talked about in class, when was the last time we had to multiply fractions in our normal everyday lives? Umm......never. So why do we continue teaching and testing that skill? Why don't we teach skills that are useful, such as how to act appropriately in social situations and increase your EQ? I don't advocate changing the whole curriculum, but I do think that schools should at least discuss what is really important for students to know in order to thrive in the real world. Changes don't have to be permanent, but it's good to see what the costs and benefits are by trying out new curriculums.

Teacher Panel

I really enjoyed listening to the teacher panel on Monday night. I really was amazed by the influence of technology. First, I was very surprised that all of the middle school students were given their own computers. Immediately came to mind, "Why?" I can understand when the students might be working on a research project in a certain class, but why give them something that can potentially be so distracting for the whole day? If it's known that kids are facebooking and chatting online so much of their time outside of school, then why would we give them the tools to do those same things while they are supposed to be paying attention in school? It doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Repeatedly I heard the phrase, "We just don't have time..." Not enough time to grade assignments or do hands-on activities. It really surprised me, especially with the hands-on activities, that teachers don't structure their days and their lesson plans so that they do have times for hands-on activities. It surprises me that teachers would cut out activities that students actually enjoy and learn from. I understand that certain regulations might lead to more direct instruction, but I also think that teachers should make the time to do hands-on activities that reinforce ideas taught by direct instruction.

This panel helped me realize how much the students can impact the lives of the teachers. I will have to work on leaving some of the students' problems at school and not bring them into my personal life. If I plan on being a coach it sounds like I will have to work on balancing many responsibilities. But it can be done. Hearing the panel speak about their experiences just makes me more excited to get in the classroom and begin working with students.

Paper Clips

After watching the movie Paper Clips, I thought that the students at Whitwell definitely were impacted emotionally from the project. They were able to put a picture to how much 6 million actually ammounted to and they learned about survivors' first-hand experiences in the concentration camps. Throughout the most of the movie I wondered how many details about the Holocaust they were learning versus how much they were just focused on recieving more paper clips, but by the end of the movie I do believe this project did teach the students a lot about the facts and emotions of the Holocaust.

The students learned so much that they were able to use the products of their project (the posters, the railroad car, the paperclips) to give guided tours to other schools that were learning about the Holocaust. The fact that the teachers of Whitwell didn't need to be in charge of the tours says a lot about how much the students learned from their Paper Clip project. Someone cannot teach material to others if they don't know the material very well. The guiding students needed to be able to answer questions about the Holocaust and give accurate detailed information. I would consider the ability to give guided tours a way of assessing how much the students actually got out of their Paper Clip project.