Comments for Mr. R Davidson's Blog

Comment on More Food For Thought by Gail Desler

Gail Desler — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:29:14 +0000

Thanks for sharing this piece from Edutopia. I’ve become a huge fan of their site and their efforts to support public education. Somehow I’ve managed to miss the exact wording I’ve been looking for to explain the gap between what tech integration should be about and what it currently looks like at many elementary sites:

“Integrating technology into classroom instruction means more than teaching basic computer skills and software programs in a separate computer class. Effective tech integration must happen across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process. In particular, it must support four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Effective technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent and when technology supports curricular goals.”

Don’t think I could ever find the words to summarize as succinctly as the Edutopia team has.

Comment on Draft 5 of an article about Computer Integration by Cyndee Perkins

Cyndee Perkins — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:39:06 +0000

Rick-
Your collaboration with Arthur Viens is an inspiration and your joint collaboration is the secret to your success! Occasionally we in COMPUTER EXPLORERS find that the core content teachers are reluctant to participate in project-based learning, responding “We don’t have the time. We have to prepare for the tests.” Although I understand the pressure they are under, I regret that they don’t have the excitement of participating in REAL learning any more! More projects like yours may rekindle their enthusiasm.

Cyndee Perkins
Director, Curriculum and Program Development
COMPUTER EXPLORERS
http://www.computerexplorers.com

Comment on Draft 5 of an article about Computer Integration by Tom Loughran

Tom Loughran — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:47:09 +0000

Rick,

Thanks for posting a detailed example of an assignment for 21st century middle schoolers. I hadn’t read Tim Tyson’s quote before, but both of you seem to me to have it just right: we warehouse students, now, until they turn 22 or so, and then expect them to be productive citizens in a civic life which has typically meant little to them for years. And the collaboration tools they’ll need to make an impact have by then been treated as toys for private recreation and socialization. Rather than just paying lip service to a distant “real world” and leaving marketers to misshape their attitudes toward the tools they will need to shape it, your kind of assignment respectfully engages students as collaborators before they are old enough to believe that they can’t change the world and care less about whether they do. Kudos.

Comment on Teacher Update by Thinkquest.com - Official Site Information

Thinkquest.com - Official Site Information — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:43:46 +0000

[...] Well done, I’m gonna link to your post from my site. [...]

Comment on Teacher Update by Teacher Update

Teacher Update — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:12:52 +0000

[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]

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