Comments on: I Wonder If This Is Going To Work… http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/ Theory is nice, but we are working in practice... Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:27:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites Of The Day For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL » Blog Archive » Face-To-Face And Online Relationships http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/#comment-205 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites Of The Day For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL » Blog Archive » Face-To-Face And Online Relationships Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:01:39 +0000 http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/#comment-205 [...] I Wonder If This Is Going To Work… [...] [...] I Wonder If This Is Going To Work… [...]

]]> By: Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites Of The Day For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL » Blog Archive » List Craziness http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/#comment-176 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites Of The Day For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL » Blog Archive » List Craziness Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:47:17 +0000 http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/#comment-176 [...] days ago as a way to reflect on all the posts I’ve made since February,  prepare for some technology experiments I’ll be doing in the classroom this coming semester, and to have a little fun.  I thought [...] [...] days ago as a way to reflect on all the posts I’ve made since February,  prepare for some technology experiments I’ll be doing in the classroom this coming semester, and to have a little fun.  I thought [...]

]]> By: Jose http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/#comment-172 Jose Sat, 22 Dec 2007 00:48:07 +0000 http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/#comment-172 Larry, Your post brings us back to the basic question: What is the goal of tech use in k-12, to develop skills (typing, research, etc..) or as an means to learning? We have seen a few exemplary teachers use technology tools to transform their classrooms into hubs of learning. For me the litmus test has to do with how a student is able to construct new learning. Gone are the days where the teacher is the bearer of all knowledge. Starting at the Elementary school level we must find ways to allow our students to build meaning on their own. By the time they reach high school there is a familiarity with the tools that allows for independent learning. This needs to happen in each of our individual classrooms. Tech tools provide the avenue to 21st Century Learning. I agree with you; it isn't easy to develop and assess these methodologies but, nevertheless change needs to happen. Larry,
Your post brings us back to the basic question: What is the goal of tech use in k-12, to develop skills (typing, research, etc..) or as an means to learning? We have seen a few exemplary teachers use technology tools to transform their classrooms into hubs of learning. For me the litmus test has to do with how a student is able to construct new learning. Gone are the days where the teacher is the bearer of all knowledge. Starting at the Elementary school level we must find ways to allow our students to build meaning on their own. By the time they reach high school there is a familiarity with the tools that allows for independent learning. This needs to happen in each of our individual classrooms. Tech tools provide the avenue to 21st Century Learning. I agree with you; it isn’t easy to develop and assess these methodologies but, nevertheless change needs to happen.

]]> By: mrferlazzo http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/#comment-171 mrferlazzo Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:30:45 +0000 http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/#comment-171 Mathew, I agree that our students need opportunities in school to develop basic technology skills. I suspect, though, that this kind of knowledge can be developed without tech necessarily being a key part of a curriculum. To me, the key question will be this: Does having students use computers everyday in class result in greater student achievement and provide an aide in their development as life-long learners? Of course, the other challenge is developing assessment tools that can effectively come-up with answers to these questions. Larry Mathew,

I agree that our students need opportunities in school to develop basic technology skills. I suspect, though, that this kind of knowledge can be developed without tech necessarily being a key part of a curriculum. To me, the key question will be this: Does having students use computers everyday in class result in greater student achievement and provide an aide in their development as life-long learners?

Of course, the other challenge is developing assessment tools that can effectively come-up with answers to these questions.

Larry

]]> By: Mathew http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/#comment-170 Mathew Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:19:46 +0000 http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/#comment-170 Fascinating experiment. I think I agree with your hypothesis that engaging technology is not necessarily better than generally engaging teaching The very best teachers I've seen use no technology at all and I only wish I could be as effective as them at delivering instruction. Technology is just one more tool. However, whether or not the technology integration teaches content more effectively than very careful planning, well chosen realia, and a handsome and charming teacher in the front of the room, students will increasingly need technology skills to participate in the global marketplace of the future. For many low income students, if we don't provide them with technology use opportunities in school they may not get those opportunities elsewhere. I think we have to provide them with digital opportunities for that reason alone. Fascinating experiment. I think I agree with your hypothesis that engaging technology is not necessarily better than generally engaging teaching

The very best teachers I’ve seen use no technology at all and I only wish I could be as effective as them at delivering instruction. Technology is just one more tool.

However, whether or not the technology integration teaches content more effectively than very careful planning, well chosen realia, and a handsome and charming teacher in the front of the room, students will increasingly need technology skills to participate in the global marketplace of the future. For many low income students, if we don’t provide them with technology use opportunities in school they may not get those opportunities elsewhere. I think we have to provide them with digital opportunities for that reason alone.

]]> By: Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites Of The Day For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL » Blog Archive » I Wonder If This Is Going To Work…. http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/#comment-169 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites Of The Day For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL » Blog Archive » I Wonder If This Is Going To Work…. Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:25:39 +0000 http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2007/12/21/i-wonder-if-this-is-going-to-work%e2%80%a6/#comment-169 [...] just written a post on our group blog, In Practice, titled “I Wonder If This Is Going To Work…” For those of you unfamiliar with “In Practice,” it’s a blog written by teachers [...] [...] just written a post on our group blog, In Practice, titled “I Wonder If This Is Going To Work…” For those of you unfamiliar with “In Practice,” it’s a blog written by teachers [...]

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