I have worked for the past several years (and more intensively over the past three years on a federal DOE grant) to examine technology integration in teacher education, and by extension, technology integration by K-12 teachers. It's a complex issue that is filled with substantial roadblocks, not the least of which is the pervasive tendency for schools to use technology as you suggest--as a stand-alone subject.
Schools don't have courses in using the pencil--we teach kids how to use pencils in the context of learning how to write. Similarly, my position is to integrate technology into instruction as tool to accomplish meaningful outcomes for which the teacher is already aiming--not primarily as a stand-alone topic. (It may be necessary to have brief stand-alone training sessions as a means to show learners computer basics or to introduce what's available online. Once that initial step is accomplished, we should move quickly to using technology as a tool.) � In general, I believe we need to continue to support the authentic integration of technology into our K-12 classrooms as a tool to increase literacy for the modern age. Well integrated technology can assist children to become more active, self-directed learners. But we must not be fooled to think that technology will be a cure-all. Tools don't make good learners--any more than pencils make good writers. It is the skilled application of the tools that matters, and for that we need training--of teachers and learners. I support targeting resources for training of teachers and others on how to use technology. P.S. Regarding the OS platform issue about which this thread was begun, I oppose the movement to single-platform support for two reasons: 1) I have seen research that suggests Mac OS network support to be anywhere from 2 to 5 times less labor intensive than Windows network support. 2) The issue shouldn't be platform, the issue should be standards--networking standards, file format standards, ethical use standards, etc. It's pretty clear that TCP/IP, Ethernet, et al. are the "platforms" on which we need to focus, not Windows vs. Mac. One may participate in these networking protocols with several OSs (maybe even ones we haven't yet considered--time moves pretty fast on the Internet!). -- Joseph Erickson for Minneapolis School Board Volunteer Committee DFL/Labor Endorsed Ronald Petrich, Treasurer 920 East Minnehaha Parkway Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.JoeErickson.us Southeast Minneapolis _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
