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PROMISES,
PROMISES
Obstacles...
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The
obstacles to a technological revolution in our schools include obsolete
facilities; inadequate training for teachers; misguided policies and
mistaken assumptions; and inflexible school schedules.
Old, outdated facilities which must be retrofitted
for technology
Thirty one percent of our public schools were built before W.W.II.
Forty-three percent went up during the 50s and the 60s. In other words,
yesterday's buildings are trying to run today's technology. |
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this is the case at your school, you might want to contact one of
the following: |
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1. The Retrofit
Program at the Florida
State Department of Education, which in three years has funded
the retrofitting of 322 Florida schools.
For technical guidelines, contact Jackie Mueller, Bureau of Educational
Technology, B1-54 Florida Educational
Center, 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, FL 32399. (904) 488-0980.
E-mail: muellej@mail.firn.edu
2. Steve Shotwell of the Michigan
Association of Computer Users and Learning (MACUL). Shotwell designed
Troy High School for Technology and is now retrofitting Athens High
School. MACUL has a free 22-minute video, "Facility Planning for Technology."
PO Box 850628, Westland, Ml 48185-0628; or AppleLink: Troyschools.
3. Your
US Senator or Representative to find out whether your district
can get some of the 200 million dollars set aside in the new Elementary
and Secondary Education Act for emergency school repairs. |
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Inadequate
teacher training
Public schools open their wallets for computers and associated technology
but spend mere pocket changeontraining. Fewer than half of the schools
in this country report having a basic computer class available to
teachers, and teachers everywhere complain that they aren't given
enough time to learn how to use computers. Some training help is available,
if school decision makers can be persuaded to give teachers some free
time. Among the resources: |
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1. International
Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is a non-profit
professional organization which provides resources for technology
using educators. ISTE publishes 11 journals, including "The Computing
Teacher." 1787Agate Street, Eugene, OR 97403. (503) 346-4414.
E-mail: iste@oregon.uoregon.edu
2. The
Center for Children and Technology (CCT) collaborates with
schools, universities, and other institutions concerned with learning
and technology design. The Center carries out a wide range of projects
including training teachers to use technology. They also publish excellent
newsletters on technology and learning 96 Morton Street, 7th Floor,
New York, NY 10014 (212) 807-4200, fax (212) 633-8804.
3. The
Curriculum/Technology Resource Center at ASCD
(the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) is a
useful resource. In addition, ASCD Online (on America Online) provides
articles on curriculum issues, live conferencing, and a "Talk About
Curriculum" message board. 1250 North Pitt Street, Alexandria VA 22314.
(703) 549-9110. |
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Computer
misuse.
Putting a computer in a classroom does not automatically create motivated,
active learners. In fact, it can do the exact opposite: create students
who lose interest in school and learning because they are not challenged.
This can happen when computers are used in unconstructive ways- for
drill and practice, as electronic worksheets, and as rewards for good
behavior. Unfortunately, in a lot of public schools the adults in
charge assume that these are the right ways to use computers. This
is a tougher hurdle to overcome, be-cause it often requires the reeducation
of the school's leadership. We suggest you get in touch with schools
that are already technologically literate, or contact: |
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1. The
Curriculum/Technology Resource Center at the Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1250 North Pitt Street, Alexandria,
VA 22314. (703) 549-9110.
2. The Agency for
Instructional Technology (AIT) distributes electronic technology-based
resources and services, including video programming, interactive videodiscs,
computer software, and supporting print. AIT also publishes Technos:
Quarterly for Education and Technology. Box A, Bloomington, IN 47402-0120.
(812)333-4218.
E-mail: technos@linknet. com
3. Finally, try communicating with educators via online services.
America Online
(800) 827-6364 has an "Electronic
SchoolHouse" where thousands of teachers meet via computer to
share information about technology. The Electronic SchoolHouse
director is Ted Roth
E-mail: alctooter@aol.com).
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Other national
online services of interest to teachers include:
GTE Educational Network Services (800.9273000),
CompuServe (800-848-8199)
GENIE (800 638-9636).
Many schools that use technology well have found it necessary to
question some basic assumptions, including the 'set-in-stone' bell
schedule with 50-minute periods. The goal is not to fit the computer
into the school's routine, but use the computer to its fullest to
increase learning. Old habits die hard, but some like the rigid schedule
deserve to die. |
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