tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post115610725491611951..comments2024-03-13T21:26:03.011-07:00Comments on Right on the Left Coast: Views From a Conservative Teacher: Laptops and Schools in TXDarrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15730642770935985796noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-1156776850989739582006-08-28T07:54:00.000-07:002006-08-28T07:54:00.000-07:00I've seen highly successful teachers borrow from t...I've seen highly successful teachers borrow from their teaching time to allow for computers to teach the same curriculum (ie. how to write an essay), either by pressure or because they hoped that the computer program would enhance what they already do, and then have their students' writing scores go down. Don't fix what is not broken. If you have teachers in the classroom who cannot teach without computers than maybe that is a problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-1156203964412016992006-08-21T16:46:00.000-07:002006-08-21T16:46:00.000-07:00When I returned to work in 1999, I was a school co...When I returned to work in 1999, I was a school computer tech. Lowly paid and with low esteem on the totem pole that is the public high school. I had teachers who had been successful for year, shelve computers in the corner only to trot them out for observations. I had the head of the math department tell me she would gladly get rid of the entire computer lab if she could limit her classes to 20 and actually teach them. I had foreign language teachers laugh at the programs they were supposed to use because they were so stilted and out of touch. Sure technology has move on in 7 years,but it still won't replace an human teacher.Ellen Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02845981491726296767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-1156203811788925622006-08-21T16:43:00.000-07:002006-08-21T16:43:00.000-07:00I have to say that my Texas district offered a lap...I have to say that my Texas district offered a laptop initiative for teachers, which I have taken advantage of and used. I have a multimedia projector and I do use quite a bit of internet material for explanation or enhancement. But it doesn't take the place of barebones learning. The district where my son attends high school tried a similar program where a computer company offered laptops and parent instruction and all sorts of gimme's to a school with low scores, low English acquisition, etc. While there were some marginal gains, so many of the computers ended up riddles with spam, hacked into and stolen, that the program was discontinued. Strangely enough, the former education commissioner for State of Texas wanted this programs to be law state wide. He wanted to substitute technology for teachers with the idea that anyone could learn from a computer. Any decent computer tech will tell you that GIGO-Garbage In/Garbage Out is a basic precept for using the device. It's a machine, not intuitive and despite the most sophisticated programs, unable to determine when a student has actually learned something. This guy was voted out. Thank God.Ellen Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02845981491726296767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-1156189140046869942006-08-21T12:39:00.000-07:002006-08-21T12:39:00.000-07:00I'm not surprised either, and I've been negative o...I'm not surprised either, and I've been negative on the "more computers for the classroom" mantra since the 1980s. I use computers daily, and I cannot see how just using computers can ever take the place of, say, memorizing the multiplication table. And from my own experience, word processing really does not facilitate the creative process; it would be best if a would-be writer formulates what he wants to say in his head FIRST instead of splaying words onto the screen shotgun-style and trying to assemble it into something logical later.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-1156179883665919072006-08-21T10:04:00.000-07:002006-08-21T10:04:00.000-07:00I suspect you know what I think about it.I suspect you know what I think about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-1156174676603709692006-08-21T08:37:00.000-07:002006-08-21T08:37:00.000-07:00Most people, teachers included, probably have basi...Most people, teachers included, probably have basic computer skills. Those who want to know how to do more than send e-mail, surf the web, word process and do spread sheets, etc, will take the time to either play around with their computer and figure things out or will take classes to learn how. However, like the previous commenter brought up, it takes time. For teachers to really learn how to effectively utilize computers in their curriculum and to feel comfortable instructing students in how to use this as well, I believe it would take at least an entire summer of training and then follow-ups throughout the school year. As an aside, I agree with you, Darren, that computers are not the magic pill to fix underperforming schools and students. It's just the latest fad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-1156124129770943452006-08-20T18:35:00.000-07:002006-08-20T18:35:00.000-07:00I'm not surprised. The technology may be in place...I'm not surprised. The technology may be in place but the teachers do not have the expereince to actually teach all the programs that we are expected to use. I spent TWO days learning how to make a 3 minutes presentation using a new program. I'm not sure it was worth all that effort for a 3 minute presentation. I'd be happier if they could do basic math without a calculatorOnyxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05784693035912482700noreply@blogger.com