Well, as these uncharted realms of technology open up to me, I am getting a little more comfortable in the mediums, yet I am spending inordinate amounts of time on the computer. I wonder whether teachers can really devote this much time to computer programs, unless of course they are naturally or by virtue of preparation/sheer repetition, well versed in all of these software programs and technological means. The ideas have great merit, but I don't know how well they can be integrated into the classroom given constraints on teachers' time. We can try, and that is the important thing I guess.
The highlights for the week for me were the point in the ENG article about the incredible amount of financial resources dedicated to building computer infrastructures, yet the far lesser attention and time commitment to insuring that the hardware is used to its fullest by teachers in creative and innovative ways; the digital textbook article which pointed to some new and innovative "books" coming our way; the inquiry based learning website and the allusion to all of us learning, as infants on up, in an inquiry fashion; and the Ken Robinson video, which was entertaining, uplifting, and so on the mark. The dangers of mislabelling someone because they are different were brought home to me in the Ken Robinson video, specifically his depiction of the tactile-kinesthetic learner who instead of receiving medication went on to dance school and became a pre-eminent choreographer. Great stuff. Throughout our search for technologically meaningful passageways for our learners, we must remember that they are different, and access information and learn differently.
Our group functioned admirably once again, displaying the intestinal fortitude and innovation that each of these individuals brings to the table. Our collaboration on the two projects, the School 2.0 project and the 5E lesson plan, was seamless and we put forth two good final products in my view. Cooperative, inquiry based learning at its best.
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