I was watching the local news station the other night (YNN) and they had a short segment on using web-based technologies in New York State school districts....well, that got my attention...I replayed the segment and watched again. They mentioned a study and showed the letters NYSSBA on the television screen. It was almost too easy to do a Google search with those letters and find a report by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) and the New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE) called "Hey, You, Get Onto My Cloud". The report contains information based on results from a survey that went out to school district and BOCES "technology directors" in New York State and interviews with several school district technology directors. Per the report, there are a number of factors that drive the use of web-based technologies in NY, including:
"In a digital age when kids are communicating via Facebook and Twitter, school districts understand that one way to make technology relevant is to employ the same types of technologies in the classroom. Web-based technologies can help students learn at their own pace and knowledge level by tailoring instruction to their individual needs, giving them access to instructional content and resources 24 hours a day, and preparing them for careers in a global economy." (p.2)
The report contains survey data results and, what I liked most...a list of examples from the school districts of using cloud computing to enhance learning. Some of those examples include using videoconferencing to conduct virtual field trips, creating wikis, and using Moodle (a free, web-based instructional program) to create websites where students may access for information, to join chat rooms, and to join discussion groups.
I think it's great that schools are beginning to (or continuing to) embrace and use Web 2.0 for instructional purposes. Seems like the sky is the limit with cloud computing and Web 2.0 functionality!
Dear Sue:
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you! If Web 2.0 technologies are engaging students and making learning relevant to them, then I say that is a good thing and it should be supported by school administrators and officials.
~Aja
Your posting is very interesting. Please check out my most recent blog entry about an article with an almost contrasting argument. Incorporating new forms of instructional practices is a very good thing in my opinion and the sooner we start using them in our classrooms, the more experience our students will have with them throughout their lifetimes. Can you supply the link to the news story? I am curious which districts commented and we included in the data.
ReplyDeleteGreg,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog entry very interesting!
To see the article I reference, simply click on the red title...I have linked the article there.
I already posted on Greg's blog about this, but I am wary of people using technology for the sake of using technology, rather than to enhance learning. On the other hand, exposing students to proper and educational ways to use these tools is a good thing.
ReplyDelete