Comments on: Creating an environment of personalised technology choice

By: Marking work in Google Docs « edte.ch

Marking work in Google Docs « edte.ch — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:21:14 +0000

[...] 5 children. I am beginning to take some things for granted, it has become a part of what we do and another choice for them to use. Google Docs has become just another addition to their [...]

By: Digital Education Revolution: School Development Day - Teacher Professional Learning « Darcy’s Blog

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:29:44 +0000

[...] students must take responsibility for their own learning and the teacher becomes more of a facilitator, creating the conditions that allow individuals to [...]

By: Learning Is Messy - Blog » Blog Archive » So Where Is The Blueprint For Technology Integration In Elementary?

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:27:58 +0000

[...] Tom Barrett has noted that in general there isn’t a lot to read and learn from about 1:1 technology integration at the elementary level: [...]

By: tbarrett

tbarrett — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:52:01 +0000

Thanks for all of your comments.

@Rafa Ribas
I completely agree that support is a key element which can impact on the success of such a project. We have a great part-time technician who has such a determination to get things right that it creates a good environment to concentrate on the learning. I am aware that with more laptops active on a daily basis in the classroom, the likelihood of problems increases, so perhaps we need more technician time. In my opinion you have to educate the children who are using the technology to solve simple technical problems too. Although the bband connection is supplied from our local authority, and is maintained by them, we have had no other support either technically or pedagogically from them. It has all been off our own backs.

@Rodney
No matter how much tech we all want to see embedded within the classroom teachers need to also appreciate those times when it is not appropriate to use it. It is not necessarily about just switching the tap on or off, in terms of tech use, but being aware of why and reflecting on the appropriateness of the decision.

@Jessie
Technology in my classroom is just another tool that is becoming more and more pervasisve. It is a good thing that they help each other when solving problems. But I think that you have to encourage a sense of community and a supportive ethos in a class anyway – without technology. To me that teamwork approach is important to instill in what the children do whatever the task. Group or individual tech lessons are both important, the former to develop ongoing teamwork skills and the latter to offer freedom to develop their own creativity and personal tech skills.

By: Anonymous205

Anonymous205 — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:25:13 +0000

You talked about how when your students seeme to have a question on some things that they tend to be more apt to ask fellow students. DO you think that this is strictly when dealing with technology issues.I feel that it is a very good thing that the students are becoming more dependent when working on these technological works. Do you agree and is that a good thing? DO you suggest doing more group or more individual technological lessons?

By: Rodney Turner

Rodney Turner — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:19:43 +0000

Wow, what insight as to the use of laptops and the responsibility that students need to be given. I really appreciate the point about being able to turn the “tap off” when it is needed. Every teacher needs to learn that every year as well as learn how to turn it on no matter how hard it is to get to the tap.
I’m going to keep reading your posts. Keep up the great work and sharing with all of us!

By: mrkp

mrkp — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:13:37 +0000

I keep reading your posts with interest Tom. It’s crazy how things are moving on so quickly even compared to a few months ago!

I agree whole heartedly with your thoughts on the need to reflect on our use of technology. As has been commented many times befor I think that the most important question that we must ask ourselves is why we are using particular tools – what is the educational benefit for the children? It’s very easy to get sucked into playing with new toys!

I’m also interested in your thoughts on 1:1 because when I move jobs in September all the children in years 5 and 6 will be using ultramobiles in the classroom!

These are exciting times that remind me of the quote “the only future you can predict is the one that you build!”

By: Sheryl A. McCoy

Sheryl A. McCoy — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:11:48 +0000

Tom, my colleagues recommended your work with children, technology and education, and I agree it is excellent. Dave sounds like a great headteacher, and I think you are both correct about technology needing to be so accessible that using it is as easy as turning on the tap.
There is a multitude of interactive programs, and I am sure you are working to figure out which are best in your program.

By: Simon Bourne

Simon Bourne — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 09:19:15 +0000

Well done Tom, Keep up the good work. It is great to hear where you are taking you pupils. I’m sure they are learning skills that will stand them in good favour for the rest of their lives. I also agree that the number of free web2.0 technologies is amazing and many of them are not utilised enough in an educational world. As we enter a new phase in children having their own learning networks, it is essential that children have the ability to “turn on the tap” to use the correct tool for the job.
Why spend time colouring in a bar chart when it can be made and printed in a few moment? Why draw a cress seed germinating when you can make a video or if? Empowering the pupils for their future is the key.
As a teacher of year 4 I feel that many of my pupils are ready for this technology, infact many of them are using it already daily at home. We must harness and encourage the children in finding the correct tool for the job.
I remember having a discussion with a year 3 child, aged7, about MSN. She told me she had been using it for several months, I was amazed! She had choosen a tool for a job. She was empowered! a true 21st century learner/user/consumer.

By: Rafa Ribas

Rafa Ribas — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 09:11:55 +0000

Although I work in a secondary, international situation, I have been reading your latest posts with great interest. Perhaps I would like to add one point to your checklist: support. Support from the school authorities, which in your case is obviously there but that sometimes is lacking (there goes the loony techie teacher again). And especially support in terms of a solid, reliable technical infrastructure in terms of maintenance of equipment, bandwidth, etc. These, while outlined in your post, are sometimes the biggest obstacles in delivering an IT-based curriculum in a 21st century way. Thanks again for a great post.