Today, I just met with my host teacher at the Otselic Valley School District. His name is Michael Foor-pessin and he is an English teacher for mainly Juniors. We discussed a few ideals related to technology and how effective and/or uneffective it could prove to be in the classroom. We also talked a little bit about the long distance learning course he teaches in the mornings at Otselic Valley (OV). Students from Hancock take the course along with Michael's students in OV.
It was interesting to hear some of Michael's thoughts on technology. He commented that he does use it, but he also commented that the way it is used by many teachers in classrooms (Power Point Presentations) it could easily become "old hat" for students, and thus prove not as effective. He believes that students need to have the face-to-face element of live discussion within the classroom. He commented that there is a disconnect for students in their real lives, with all the time spent infront of a computer screen.
He also commented upon how a total reliance on technology can lead to some problems within the classroom if there is any trouble with the equipment, if the computer system should happen to shut down, or any other problems that sometimes occur with computers. For the teacher with everything that is technology oriented this can leave them in a bind and wondering just what in the world they will be teaching that day.
He also commented about technology costs for small rural school districts and how some of the technology oriented items end up costing the district tons of money. A lot of times special programs are presented to school districts with a grant that lures the district into installing the system. Sometimes the system works and sometimes it doesn't. Regardless of this though, once the system is installed it is up to the district to maintain it and to pay the costs associated with it, such as upgrades. The costs associated quite often end up costing a small rural district much, much more than what taxpayers can afford. In addition, school districts that fully incorporate technology within their schools end up taking on the additional costs of hiring someone to maintain the computer system, another cost that is tough for small rural school districts to absorb. Some simply cannot.
I found our conversation very interesting and I look forward to going back and watching the long distance course in action. I will write more about the class as I observe. I'm not sure how many of us have had any experience with the long distance learning concept, but it should be interesting to see how it all goes.
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6 comments:
Michael brings up a lot of good points. I also believe that students need face-to-face contact, but they also need knowledge of technology because it is unavoidable in the world in which they're growing up. It's difficult to balance the two, and I can sympathize with both sides of the argument.
I also have heard a little about the technology purchase and maintaince costs in schools. I went to a School Board meeting in Cortland last year, and it was a huge topic of debate. Again, I can see both sides of the issue. Technology is extremely important, but it is also expensive and updated constantly. How can schools keep up?
I think that these problems are still new, and as time goes on, people will come up with new ways to compromise/resolve them.
School budgets and money in general tend to get me a little bit... excited... When I start to look at where dollars are allocated within a school, I get a little bit angry. I grew up in a school with a brand-new football field, gorgeous weight room, and brand new gym facilities, 20 year old marching band uniforms and instruments that were desperately in need of replacement, limited art supplies, no chemicals to develop our film (taken with40 year old cameras)in photography class..... you get the point.
Budgeting for technology aside, I'll tell you about my distance-learning experience. I took music theory in my senior year at Windsor High School. This class was conducted in a "smart classroom" with video cameras and television screens. The cameras were on both classrooms in both my high school and in the distance classroom. We could see each other on the large television screen in the corner. My teacher taught both classes using an Elmo. The image was project onto the screen in my classroom, and a small camera projected her work onto the screen in the distance classroom. Looking back, I know that this class was one of the first distance learning classes that was offered through my school. I guess we were on the cutting edge :o)
The school hired a technology specialist, and she was always on hand to help out with new camera configurations. I don't remember having any real "hitches" in the class, but this doesn't rule them out.
I look forward to hearing more about your distance learning classroom. Good luck!
Isn't that crazy to think that PowerPoint could become "old hat?" That boggles my mind. I guess some programs would become outdated, but at least we'll get some fantastic ones to back them up.
It was interesting to hear about how rural schools didn't want to pay the money in order to get more technology. I never heard it first-hand, but I just figured that would be the case. Now I can say that it is true; before it was just an assumption.
Barb,
Okay I found your blog site. I think I missed it when I was doing my blog roll. DOH! but now I can keep up to date on your new posts and respond to things you have to say. :) How cool is this anyway? I am getting addicting to blogging and commenting on others blog. I just wish someone, anyone would post on mine :( I'm trying not to get to down on myself about it...its probably something stupid like because my name is at the bottom of the list in the S's and people just click on the top 6 for commenting on. grrrr I think I made some pretty insightful points and I really want to hear what people have to say about it. alright I'll get off my high horse now. I can't wait to hear more about the long distance course. It sounds intriguing! Have fun and make the most of your placement
I think it is a good thing to hear both side of technologies in the classroom. The problem of a totally technology based classroom going down due a power storm presents an interesting dilemma for teachers who do not have any backup plans.
barb-
i agree with Michael's idea that kids need live interaction in the classroom. I am a firm believer that live interaction will be more valuable than just interaction with a computer screen. I understand students will one day end up in a job where they might need computer skills, and I think this is important to teach. But an even more important tool is how to interact with your surroundings and people. Otherwise, we will become a society of robotic, unemotional, unsocial people.
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