Module 5

MODULE 5

Technology Grant Ideas

         I’ve looked into a couple of grant ideas for technology.  “Computers for Learning” was one that I got started with, but my principal informed me my school doesn’t qualify for government donations of technology equipment.  (Not sure why, but I took her work for it.) Another one I looked at required some tax and financial information that I was not allowed access to. Therefore, my idea for a grant will be to use the website Donorschoose.com.  I’ve created an account, and will be asking for a Macbook laptop, Apple TV, and the necessary cables to update our very ancient presentation station in our distance-learning lab.  The desktop now in the lab is in the far corner of the stage area, and is set up on a moveable table that can’t be moved because of the computer cables.  It’s also at least 10 years old.  Much of our teacher training/professional development takes place in this lab, and often we can’t see the presenters because they are in the corner of the stage, or the technology isn’t adequate for what they would like to teach us.  The reason I’m asking for this equipment is to complement my technology initiative, which will be to provide professional development to the teachers of my school, showing them how to update and use their websites as a tool for student, parent, and community communication and instructional support.

School Should Reflect Real Life

         One of the statements in this chapter that stood out to me was “…many schools still treat education as an effort to prepare students for a world that no longer exists.”  It sums up a lot of how I feel about what’s happening in schools today with regard to technology use, or the lack thereof.  I think that if we would embrace the use of technology in the classroom, not only would we more accurately reflect the world the students live in, but we would also provide an environment where students can learn appropriate use of technology tools.

         The thing schools fear, when if comes to use of technology, is the vast freedom it offers students and what the immature mind will do with that freedom.  Some students will choose wrongly and cause pain and problems for themselves and others, but that’s not a reason to forbid the use of technology. Students walk out of the school building with assignments and projects that they then try to complete using their own technology tools, but with no guidance. They have to navigate the use of technology on their own. Quite a few parents don’t know what they’re students are doing, or don’t care.

         What schools can do is provide a place where students understand the boundaries and limits, and, when they cross them, deal with them in a way that guides, teaches, and changes their behavior. If we allowed them to use the technology on a regular basis, such as in a BYOD classroom, they would be in a place where they were being guided, directed, and protected in their freedom of use. They would learn the appropriate ways to use their phones and tablets to find resources and complete assignments or projects. “…we must move away from an industrial model of instruction and let go of control in order to meet the diverse needs of today’s learners.”

Clark Hall

           The story of Clark Hall was particularly interesting to me because I’m from Ohio, grew up in and taught in central Ohio, and I’m very familiar with the Gahanna Jefferson Schools, so the story seemed even that more compelling to me.  Clark Hall was developed by the school district because they needed more room.  The high school was too overcrowded, but they didn’t have the resources to build a whole new school, so they decided to add to the current campus.  The building they added was similar to an office building, and was even partially leased out to local businesses as a means of revenue.  They partnered with community organizations for some of their resources, and created an environment that is very much like a modern university or business.  The students and teachers use of technology is regular and pervasive, and teachers are encouraged not just to use technology in the classroom, but also to have the students study, learn, and create using the technology.  Reading about the school made me wish I could work in an environment like that!  It resembles the learning environment my daughter is now in at college, with the open spaces, study areas, wireless access across campus, and technology devices for everyone. 

           My current workplace only resembles Clark Hall, in a small way, in our school library.  It’s bright and open, with soft chairs, couches, rugs, and beanbags for students to sit on.  There are thirty computers set up around the room and in a small lab area in the back.  It is not really a dedicated library space, however.  There are two classes taught in there daily, as well as other teachers who bring their classes down to work on projects. But, only one class fits comfortably in the library at a time.  With about 140 sections of core classes taught in our building each day, the access to the library is very limited.  The rest of the building feels like a hospital to me.  They took all of the carpet out two years ago, and installed white tile in the whole building.  Most of the classroom walls are white, with a few being light blue.  Three years ago, one of the special education teachers painted her classroom bright orange and lime green and got into a great deal of trouble.  I could only hope for an environment like Clark Hall.  There would have to be a serious change of heart from higher up for us to have an overhaul like that.