Comments on: Ok, I’ll bite. http://www.leftlaneends.net/2006/04/18/38/ when the road narrows ... we begin to think Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:08:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Musings from the Academy » Blog Archive » Causing Controversy http://www.leftlaneends.net/2006/04/18/38/#comment-437 Musings from the Academy » Blog Archive » Causing Controversy Thu, 06 Jul 2006 23:31:37 +0000 http://www.leftlaneends.net/2006/04/18/38/#comment-437 [...] Keith Wyrick, one of my teachers, sent me this article the other day. I read it, disagreed with most of it and thought about posting my own comments, and then I had a better thought. I sent it to Jerram Froese of Left Lane Ends because I knew it would get his feathers ruffled. I figured it my inspire him to write something and then I could comment on his post. Boy, did it ever inspire him to write something… [...] [...] Keith Wyrick, one of my teachers, sent me this article the other day. I read it, disagreed with most of it and thought about posting my own comments, and then I had a better thought. I sent it to Jerram Froese of Left Lane Ends because I knew it would get his feathers ruffled. I figured it my inspire him to write something and then I could comment on his post. Boy, did it ever inspire him to write something… [...]

]]> By: Jim Burke http://www.leftlaneends.net/2006/04/18/38/#comment-382 Jim Burke Wed, 28 Jun 2006 01:01:36 +0000 http://www.leftlaneends.net/2006/04/18/38/#comment-382 Have you read Neil Postman's classic, Informing Ourselves to Death? Thoughts? http://www.eff.org/Net_culture/Criticisms/informing_ourselves_to_death.paper jim Have you read Neil Postman’s classic, Informing Ourselves to Death? Thoughts?

http://www.eff.org/Net_culture/Criticisms/informing_ourselves_to_death.paper

jim

]]> By: jfroese http://www.leftlaneends.net/2006/04/18/38/#comment-136 jfroese Fri, 28 Apr 2006 14:12:41 +0000 http://www.leftlaneends.net/2006/04/18/38/#comment-136 Thanks for the comments Vicki - and for the kick in the pants, Angela! We have to keep thinking of the positive ways to use what we have to move forward instead of getting stuck in the problems and the past! Thanks for the comments Vicki - and for the kick in the pants, Angela! We have to keep thinking of the positive ways to use what we have to move forward instead of getting stuck in the problems and the past!

]]> By: Vicki Davis http://www.leftlaneends.net/2006/04/18/38/#comment-93 Vicki Davis Tue, 25 Apr 2006 00:02:38 +0000 http://www.leftlaneends.net/2006/04/18/38/#comment-93 I see these tools as new, incredible, inexpensive ways to engage students in conversation. I am excited about the accessibility of PDA's, iPods, cell phones, and laptops. What bothers me is this "generation gap" thing that you have alluded to. The "older folks" criticizing the "younger folks" because somehow they don't measure up to the childhood that the "older folks" had. We must begin to understand that these channels are just that, channels of communication. As a new line of communication opens up, we must use it to communicate with, engage, and discuss educational topics with students. Instead we filter, avoid, antagonize, and attack what is not understood. Myspace is a perfect example. IT is a great monitoring tool for parents, instead, they remain detached from their children as other adults victimize them. Shame on adults who are unwilling to change! We have great opportunities to reach children! Here is the great thing -- use a cool tool to communicate with kids and suddenly -- your topic becomes cool -- whether is is MacBeth or computer science. If we have them ask each other review questions, why not use Meebo to IM one another and save a transcript to print and turn in for a grade as well as use to study. Take the transcripts and post them on a wiki. Blog about topics that require more discussion. How about this -- schools could use airset to have all of the cell phones of parents and text message them when there is a problem, a game delay, or a change of schedule! What we have is opportunity. What most people see is only threats! I agree with you when you say that: It is true, technology is their life - so let’s embrace that fact and find ways to help OUR kids think more effectively within that environment. We need more people not jumping on a bandwagon but understanding the truth of the classroom. I see these tools as new, incredible, inexpensive ways to engage students in conversation. I am excited about the accessibility of PDA’s, iPods, cell phones, and laptops.

What bothers me is this “generation gap” thing that you have alluded to. The “older folks” criticizing the “younger folks” because somehow they don’t measure up to the childhood that the “older folks” had.

We must begin to understand that these channels are just that, channels of communication. As a new line of communication opens up, we must use it to communicate with, engage, and discuss educational topics with students. Instead we filter, avoid, antagonize, and attack what is not understood.

Myspace is a perfect example. IT is a great monitoring tool for parents, instead, they remain detached from their children as other adults victimize them. Shame on adults who are unwilling to change!

We have great opportunities to reach children! Here is the great thing — use a cool tool to communicate with kids and suddenly — your topic becomes cool — whether is is MacBeth or computer science.

If we have them ask each other review questions, why not use Meebo to IM one another and save a transcript to print and turn in for a grade as well as use to study. Take the transcripts and post them on a wiki. Blog about topics that require more discussion.

How about this — schools could use airset to have all of the cell phones of parents and text message them when there is a problem, a game delay, or a change of schedule!

What we have is opportunity. What most people see is only threats! I agree with you when you say that:

It is true, technology is their life - so let’s embrace that fact and find ways to help OUR kids think more effectively within that environment.

We need more people not jumping on a bandwagon but understanding the truth of the classroom.

]]> By: astephens http://www.leftlaneends.net/2006/04/18/38/#comment-48 astephens Wed, 19 Apr 2006 19:49:00 +0000 http://www.leftlaneends.net/2006/04/18/38/#comment-48 Jerram, I am glad I could help "inspire" you to write again. :) I wholeheartedly agree with your following statement, "It is time we stop looking at technology soley as an independent variable." You are right. We can introduce technology into the classroom, but without effective teaching, the technology will not help raise test scores, motivate students, provide relevance, etc. I agree that we must focus our attention on developing effective instruction and dynamic teachers who utilize technology as appropriate. However, a conflict seems to arise when our professional development focuses on specific technology skills instead of instructional strategies which also happen to include technology. Any thoughts? Jerram,

I am glad I could help “inspire” you to write again. :) I wholeheartedly agree with your following statement, “It is time we stop looking at technology soley as an independent variable.” You are right. We can introduce technology into the classroom, but without effective teaching, the technology will not help raise test scores, motivate students, provide relevance, etc.

I agree that we must focus our attention on developing effective instruction and dynamic teachers who utilize technology as appropriate. However, a conflict seems to arise when our professional development focuses on specific technology skills instead of instructional strategies which also happen to include technology. Any thoughts?

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