This week in class, we reviewed the current EdTech standards for Ann Arbor Public Schools alongside two staff members from AAPS. I found the 2007 standards to be very telling of the times in which they were created: pre-recession, pre-tablet, using the internet for alternatives to regular schooling, technology for technology's sake. It has only been five years and already it seemed so outdated.
A few things that we talked about really stood out to me:
1. The lofty goals of IEPs. I think that the way that they were imagined to work in 2007 would not make sense in the current educational climate of overworked teachers, but I think that there are definitely ways to create a system that could work in the favor of both teachers and students. Learning management systems are getting better at student tracking and I like the idea that was brought up about re-imagining this idea as a network instead of a plan. I like the idea of student contribution and upkeep. I think that it could provide an adequate educational counterpoint to social networking and would create an environment to discuss issues surrounding digital reputation.
2. The idea that 1:1 computing is inevitable. I do not believe that schools will have to provide and iPad for every student. I think that it is unrealistic and completely irresponsible and it kind of makes me mad when people make these kinds of assumptions about the way education has to be in the 21st century. If/when 1:1 is implemented, I am interested to see how options like Raspberry Pi will compete with the iPad.
3. The adoption of technology can't just be a replacement for something analog or human; it has to serve a greater purpose and elevate what is possible in a learning environment. I keep looking back at that chart that Ann sent us. It's great.
Lastly, could I be more obsessed with this library design? I don't think so.
I soooo wish we had a photo of that library WITH books in it!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am excited about Raspberry Pi. I feel like the woman in that Marshall's commercial for a few years ago, tapping her fingers on the store doors and intoning, "O-pen. O-pen. O-pen."
And I'm not certain that iPad is the does-it-all device. As much as I love mine (and I was a reluctant purchaser -- I swore I didn't need one but only got it so I could test out iBooks), the experience of typing on glass isn't very satisfying. I do minimal typing on it, because my laptop is so much easier for me to type on -- and type on accurately!
I agree with Kristin, I would love to see the library with books in it. I really love the walls with the circular cutouts. The only thing I really worry about is the rolling shelves and the hanging chairs. When I was a kid, I would have taken that chair and used it like a swing (but I was a troublemaker).
ReplyDeleteI hear you about the assumptions people make about 1:1 computers in school classrooms. I really only hear it from those that work in upper-middle class school disctricts. So when this gets "rolled out," so to speak, I see kids in well off areas running around with them while inner-city/poorer school districts wait with their hands empty. How can we expect to equalize this playing field?
ReplyDeleteOh man, just wait until you get to Ed Reform! You should totally bring this up!
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