Comments on: Technology and Curriculum http://bengrey.com/blog/2010/02/technology-and-curriculum/ Standing on the verge of a technologically educational revolution. Thu, 17 May 2012 09:49:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Chad Lehman http://bengrey.com/blog/2010/02/technology-and-curriculum/comment-page-1/#comment-6705 Chad Lehman Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:34:10 +0000 http://bengrey.com/blog/?p=307#comment-6705 "We look at the tools, get excited, and work to shoehorn them into what is happening in the classroom." I'm guilty of this. However, I think that using technology this way can lead to more effective use. I look at it as a start. We're starting to use wikis at my elementary school at a collaborative tool for the students. When working on group assignments, students can have access to their work, add their thoughts and comments without having to meet in person. It sure would have been nice to have this option when I was working on group projects. The use of technology in schools is still just beginning. Some schools are doing a pretty good job of integrating technology, while others, for a variety of reasons, are not. “We look at the tools, get excited, and work to shoehorn them into what is happening in the classroom.”

I’m guilty of this. However, I think that using technology this way can lead to more effective use. I look at it as a start. We’re starting to use wikis at my elementary school at a collaborative tool for the students. When working on group assignments, students can have access to their work, add their thoughts and comments without having to meet in person. It sure would have been nice to have this option when I was working on group projects. The use of technology in schools is still just beginning. Some schools are doing a pretty good job of integrating technology, while others, for a variety of reasons, are not.

]]> By: Chris Fritz http://bengrey.com/blog/2010/02/technology-and-curriculum/comment-page-1/#comment-6685 Chris Fritz Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:06:25 +0000 http://bengrey.com/blog/?p=307#comment-6685 The TPACK framework (tpack.org) is a tool you may find useful if you're not familiar with it. It was put together in an attempt to help educators address this question of how to keep learning objectives at the forefront when considering the use of technology. From their site below: "Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) attempts to capture some of the essential qualities of knowledge required by teachers for technology integration in their teaching, while addressing the complex, multifaceted and situated nature of teacher knowledge. At the heart of the TPACK framework, is the complex interplay of three primary forms of knowledge: Content (CK), Pedagogy (PK), and Technology (TK)." That may sound quite dense (I know it does to me), but don't despair - they have nice visuals. :-) The TPACK framework (tpack.org) is a tool you may find useful if you’re not familiar with it. It was put together in an attempt to help educators address this question of how to keep learning objectives at the forefront when considering the use of technology. From their site below:

“Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) attempts to capture some of the essential qualities of knowledge required by teachers for technology integration in their teaching, while addressing the complex, multifaceted and situated nature of teacher knowledge. At the heart of the TPACK framework, is the complex interplay of three primary forms of knowledge: Content (CK), Pedagogy (PK), and Technology (TK).”

That may sound quite dense (I know it does to me), but don’t despair – they have nice visuals. :-)

]]> By: Lisa http://bengrey.com/blog/2010/02/technology-and-curriculum/comment-page-1/#comment-6560 Lisa Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:48:05 +0000 http://bengrey.com/blog/?p=307#comment-6560 Hi Ben, You should coin this 'ecology' a Greyism :) I want every teacher to read this post! You have it right with "we approach technology backwards." The focus must be on learning, not on cool tools. When we focus on the tricks and tools, we become mere 'activity planners' (Wiggins). This is a pitfall and a barrier to student development. Digital storytelling opens up a new mode of sharing and discussing for our students. A shy or more reserved student just might flourish and find his/her voice through the process. Your last paragraph is my favorite part of the entire post! By the way, I had the privileged of meeting David Jakes at the Google Teacher Academy in Chicago. He is a tremendous asset and a true pioneer in our field. thanks, Ben. Lisa Hi Ben,
You should coin this ‘ecology’ a Greyism :)
I want every teacher to read this post!
You have it right with “we approach technology backwards.” The focus must be on learning, not on cool tools. When we focus on the tricks and tools, we become mere ‘activity planners’ (Wiggins). This is a pitfall and a barrier to student development.
Digital storytelling opens up a new mode of sharing and discussing for our students. A shy or more reserved student just might flourish and find his/her voice through the process. Your last paragraph is my favorite part of the entire post!
By the way, I had the privileged of meeting David Jakes at the Google Teacher Academy in Chicago. He is a tremendous asset and a true pioneer in our field.
thanks, Ben.
Lisa

]]> By: Matt Townsley http://bengrey.com/blog/2010/02/technology-and-curriculum/comment-page-1/#comment-6550 Matt Townsley Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:24:00 +0000 http://bengrey.com/blog/?p=307#comment-6550 "It is my honest belief that too often we approach technology backwards. We look at the tools, get excited, and work to shoehorn them into what is happening in the classroom." Well-said, Ben. It's hard not to get wrapped up in the techno-centric education reform conversation though. We want access to more digital resources in our classrooms, an instructional technologist to help us plan and teach, and a computer for every child. From the outside, those all sound like great and wonderful things. When we don't choose the right tools for our desired goals (i.e. Twittering to twitter or PPTs all day long), THAT's when things go south. You said it well, "When our focus is leading students on the journey of learning how to learn, and we choose technologies that help us advance that goal..." Thanks for a great reminder. Keep up the good blogging. “It is my honest belief that too often we approach technology backwards. We look at the tools, get excited, and work to shoehorn them into what is happening in the classroom.” Well-said, Ben. It’s hard not to get wrapped up in the techno-centric education reform conversation though. We want access to more digital resources in our classrooms, an instructional technologist to help us plan and teach, and a computer for every child. From the outside, those all sound like great and wonderful things. When we don’t choose the right tools for our desired goals (i.e. Twittering to twitter or PPTs all day long), THAT’s when things go south. You said it well, “When our focus is leading students on the journey of learning how to learn, and we choose technologies that help us advance that goal…”

Thanks for a great reminder. Keep up the good blogging.

]]> By: Seth http://bengrey.com/blog/2010/02/technology-and-curriculum/comment-page-1/#comment-6516 Seth Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:44:32 +0000 http://bengrey.com/blog/?p=307#comment-6516 Great points here, Ben. I'm a "teacher without a classroom" so to speak. As such, I've really been boning up on edtech as of late. It seems very tempting to take a tool that seems like it should be great and try to bend it to fit whatever the objective for the day is. Keeping the focus on the desired learning outcomes is a great way to make sure the tool fits. Great points here, Ben. I’m a “teacher without a classroom” so to speak. As such, I’ve really been boning up on edtech as of late. It seems very tempting to take a tool that seems like it should be great and try to bend it to fit whatever the objective for the day is. Keeping the focus on the desired learning outcomes is a great way to make sure the tool fits.

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