Genuine Learning With Technology

This is one of the amazing presentations done

by my students after only a few days of

instruction with Smart Notebook.

The variety of subjects was staggering, as described in my previous post. Many of the presentations included interactive elements as well as the graphics and text.

During the creative process fostered by the application, there was genuine learning taking place as the students researched their topics, located appropriate graphics, and tried out interactive components to bring their presentations to life.

Students intuitively collaborated as they compared projects and exchanged ideas for formatting and content and shared learned techniques. They learned so much more about their topics than would have occurred through more traditional instructional techniques. In the process, they also learned a great deal about using this highly functional computer application.

Throughout the project, the students were focused and the classroom was quiet. Acting as a facilitator, I was able to give individual attention to students to assist with their writing, including mechanics and language usage. This is the 21st Century classroom at its best!

When It All Works

This week I turned my students loose on Smart Notebook with a very general set of instructions -- see what you can put together in the way of a presentation that relates to one of your academic subjects. They had "explored" the application the day before, which consisted largely of coloring with the various pens and playing with the interactive content. Frankly, I expected there'd be a bit more of that before they actually tried to produce anything.

About 15 minutes into the work time, I took a stroll around the room to see what my young charges had wrought and nearly burst with pride at what I saw! Kevin and Jenny had imported maps of the Caribbean Islands and were busily labeling cities and writing about bits of the islands' history. Carolyn was constructing a biography of Bob Marley as a poet. Kendra and Tammy were building virtual solar systems. Anne was compiling a corporate biography of Apple Computer. Myra and Thomas were tackling different aspects of ancient Egyptian culture with Myra exploring monuments in the Valley of the Kings while Thomas preferred the secrets of mummification. Belinda was studying ancient Greek architecture, and Kerry was importing a picture of an early traffic light to illustrate her biography of the inventor, Garret Morgan. Diana was deep in the Pacific ocean examining life around fumeroles, Angela was creating a flow chart for solving one-step equations, and David was pondering the roots of the American revolution.

The place was quiet, with only muted mouse clicks, equally delicate key tapping, and the soft strains of Bach in the background to indicate human occupation. A blindfolded visitor would never have guessed at a busy, productive middle school classroom.

This amazing outcome is what every teacher lives for -- that moment when it all works, and you know, at the end of the day, that every single child learned something meaningful.

Stealing My Paycheck

Last year, shortly after I started this blog, I was devastated by the suicide of one of my students. I started to write here so many times after that, but could never find adequate words, so I simply didn't write. I have moved forward from the most difficult year of my teaching career into what is, to date, the most exciting and challenging year.

Late last school year, I had the opportunity to apply for the position of computer applications teacher for 7th and 8th grade. I agonized over the decision to apply. Having spent 13 years teaching math and science to 6th graders, I was comfortable and confident in my academic role and a bit intimidated by the idea of managing so much technology for so many students. Ultimately, I took the plunge and was selected for the position.

I spent most of my summer at school, sorting out hardware, software, cabling, and seating, as well as moving into an actual office off the main lab. This was a different world from my old elementary classroom! As the first day of school approached, my nerves went into high gear and I worried -- about the curriculum, about the equipment, about the large number of students I'd be teaching, about nearly everything that was even remotely related to my new job!

I've been in the lab teaching 7th and 8th grade students for 6 weeks now, and each day I feel more and more like I'm stealing my paycheck! I love running a technology lab, love the student response to using technology, love wowing students with fabulous websites, software, and tutorials, love creating teaching materials with Camtasia, Snagit, Smart Notebook and PowerPoint, love managing the students' PCs with a lab management program and love being a part of the interaction of students and technology!

I believe I'm ready to write again! I can wish nothing better than that you are lucky enough to do something you love, and get paid for it into the bargain.

Why Am I Here?

Back in 1991 or so, I discovered a little piece of what would soon become the world wide web. My ISP was essentially an e-mail server with instant messaging capability, and I loved it. This, I thought, will be an outstanding avenue to bring back the art of letter writing. I soon discovered that I was relatively alone in that interpretation of the possibilities of electronic communication. Rather than promoting genuine human exchange, it dealt a nearly lethal blow to the art of the letter. Suddenly the world was using minimal language and a host of emerging acronyms to convey tersely stated bits of information, the latest storyline from last night's sitcom, and endless jokes. The first time one of my students used the number "2" instead of the word "to" in an essay, I knew my dream for the future of electronic communication was dying on the vine.

The emergence of the blog has given me new hope for the written word. The educational community is embracing the blog as an avenue to bring back genuine writing in the classroom, and the world at large. Today, I am taking my first baby steps to release the writer within and lead my students and peers by example.

My blog will reflect my educational philosophy and provide a platform from which I will share my thoughts on teaching and learning in the 21st century. It is my hope that many will find my words thought-provoking, enlightening, and perhaps even entertaining.