Comments on: Iowa – A computer in every hand http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html Technology, leadership, and the future of schools Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:42:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: mapowell http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html/comment-page-1#comment-11068 mapowell Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html#comment-11068 I am simply focusing on the cell phones in my classroom at this time. The more I use them, the more I need them...texting data, podcasts, a cheap alternative to clickers, etc. I was seriously disappointed to see HF 271 enter the Iowa Legislature, proposing a ban on cell phones in school facilities. I think I am becoming a Libertarian, but let me have more local control and less regulatory worry. I like the netbook idea. I have watched several schools try the one student-one laptop concept in Eastern Iowa, and without tech support, it quickly becomes overwhelming for the Districts. I am simply focusing on the cell phones in my classroom at this time. The more I use them, the more I need them…texting data, podcasts, a cheap alternative to clickers, etc. I was seriously disappointed to see HF 271 enter the Iowa Legislature, proposing a ban on cell phones in school facilities. I think I am becoming a Libertarian, but let me have more local control and less regulatory worry.

I like the netbook idea. I have watched several schools try the one student-one laptop concept in Eastern Iowa, and without tech support, it quickly becomes overwhelming for the Districts.

]]> By: Mike http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html/comment-page-1#comment-11069 Mike Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html#comment-11069 Though I don't live in Iowa anymore (just across the river now), I am following your posts with great interest. I agree that moving towards 1:1 would be the ideal for producing 21st century students. It causes me great consternation when administrators spend insane amounts of money on interactive whiteboards, clickers, etc. so that they "look" techno-savvy. The money could benefit many more students if invested in the right areas. Training and recruiting motivated and engaging teachers is the other half of the equation. 1:1 classrooms can be a waste in the wrong hands. I would love a room full of new netbooks or even iTouches, but it's not in the cards at the small private school I teach in. Through a lot of luck and generosity however, I've managed to cobble together enough computers in my room to accommodate at least half a class at a time. As long as the computers can get on the internet and have enough oomph to run flash, I'll take them. Several of my computers are hand me downs from a local company that was upgrading. I see this as a great opportunity for schools to alleviate equipment costs. You spoke of grants and federal monies in your post, but partnerships with large companies could be even more cost effective. If a company has a 3 year turnaround on equipment, that could still leave 2 years of a computer's life left for a school. With web-based applications there would be few software concerns and fewer maintenance issues. Though I don’t live in Iowa anymore (just across the river now), I am following your posts with great interest. I agree that moving towards 1:1 would be the ideal for producing 21st century students. It causes me great consternation when administrators spend insane amounts of money on interactive whiteboards, clickers, etc. so that they “look” techno-savvy. The money could benefit many more students if invested in the right areas. Training and recruiting motivated and engaging teachers is the other half of the equation. 1:1 classrooms can be a waste in the wrong hands.

I would love a room full of new netbooks or even iTouches, but it’s not in the cards at the small private school I teach in. Through a lot of luck and generosity however, I’ve managed to cobble together enough computers in my room to accommodate at least half a class at a time. As long as the computers can get on the internet and have enough oomph to run flash, I’ll take them. Several of my computers are hand me downs from a local company that was upgrading.

I see this as a great opportunity for schools to alleviate equipment costs. You spoke of grants and federal monies in your post, but partnerships with large companies could be even more cost effective. If a company has a 3 year turnaround on equipment, that could still leave 2 years of a computer’s life left for a school. With web-based applications there would be few software concerns and fewer maintenance issues.

]]> By: Russ http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html/comment-page-1#comment-11070 Russ Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html#comment-11070 Seeing the front page story in the Register about cell phones in the classroom made me think, "I wonder if this will make its way to Dangerously Irrelevant." Turn the page, and lo and behold, both Scott and Marcia are quoted. Well done! Unfortunately, from the comments on the story <a href="http://is.gd/lWK6" rel="nofollow">http://is.gd/lWK6</a> it looks like we're in for an uphill battle. The classic "It's the teachers' fault" excuse came out quickly. Seeing the front page story in the Register about cell phones in the classroom made me think, “I wonder if this will make its way to Dangerously Irrelevant.” Turn the page, and lo and behold, both Scott and Marcia are quoted. Well done!

Unfortunately, from the comments on the story http://is.gd/lWK6 it looks like we’re in for an uphill battle. The classic “It’s the teachers’ fault” excuse came out quickly.

]]> By: mapowell http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html/comment-page-1#comment-11071 mapowell Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html#comment-11071 Russ, Take a look at the comments now and watch the feathers fly. There seems to be a 'missing-the-point' impact going, with parents being blamed, kids being blamed, teachers being blamed and no discussion of the fact that kids are using cell phones, and are not likely to stop using them just because a rule is being posted. Here are some questions I am struggling with in my own classroom: a) if a child forgets to bring pencil and paper to class, but remembers his/her cell phone, what tool will motivate them and allow them to communicate with me? b) if a child has to text a thesis or hypothesis to me, does that mean she/he has not engaged in critical thinking? c) if a child is inappropriately using their cell phone in class, should we AVOID having a discussion about responsibility? What about telling that child, "Please put that away" or "Please put your cell phone on the classoom cell phone daybed so you aren't tempted"? And if a child is sending cyberbullying or nasty pictures, we should DEFINITELY be telling those children about FCC guidelines and possible charges...there was a child in Florida who went to jail for that type of behavior. Let me be clear....I am trying to improve my performance in the classroom with kids. I don't use cell phones every day, but I do message homework assignments to them, I have them take pictures of review materials on a whiteboard---whatever taps their multiple intelligences. And I LOVE the possibilities of podcasting with students--especially gcast.com or hipster.com, all from a phone. Ireport.com can also be a potential use for the future. Argggh, I simply see no way to help people push past the paradigm wall that they keep creating for themselves. The wall is shifting, and the world is shifting, so doesn't education have to keep on moving, too? Maybe I am feeling a little irrelevant today, also... Russ,

Take a look at the comments now and watch the feathers fly. There seems to be a ‘missing-the-point’ impact going, with parents being blamed, kids being blamed, teachers being blamed and no discussion of the fact that kids are using cell phones, and are not likely to stop using them just because a rule is being posted.

Here are some questions I am struggling with in my own classroom:

a) if a child forgets to bring pencil and paper to class, but remembers his/her cell phone, what tool will motivate them and allow them to communicate with me?

b) if a child has to text a thesis or hypothesis to me, does that mean she/he has not engaged in critical thinking?

c) if a child is inappropriately using their cell phone in class, should we AVOID having a discussion about responsibility? What about telling that child, “Please put that away” or “Please put your cell phone on the classoom cell phone daybed so you aren’t tempted”? And if a child is sending cyberbullying or nasty pictures, we should DEFINITELY be telling those children about FCC guidelines and possible charges…there was a child in Florida who went to jail for that type of behavior.

Let me be clear….I am trying to improve my performance in the classroom with kids. I don’t use cell phones every day, but I do message homework assignments to them, I have them take pictures of review materials on a whiteboard—whatever taps their multiple intelligences. And I LOVE the possibilities of podcasting with students–especially gcast.com or hipster.com, all from a phone. Ireport.com can also be a potential use for the future.

Argggh, I simply see no way to help people push past the paradigm wall that they keep creating for themselves. The wall is shifting, and the world is shifting, so doesn’t education have to keep on moving, too? Maybe I am feeling a little irrelevant today, also…

]]> By: Joe Makley http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html/comment-page-1#comment-11072 Joe Makley Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html#comment-11072 I just wanted to voice support for one-one ratio of devices. Laptops are expensive (especially to keep batteries charged, replaced, etc.) and the netbooks need to mature more, but it's the only answer to the question: "how many computers should a school have?" There's simply no other equitable way to get to where you can assign, collect, provide, share, collaborate or otherwise have students participate in a technology immersed wider world. It's true that we value mostly "any century skills" such as character, work habits, etc., but we do need to incorporate practical, relevant activities to prepare students for the technology immersion of today. It's also important because we need to model strategies for coping with the "information storm," keeping safe on-line, etc. So yes, in spite of the technical headaches and the need for additional support staff (which we must be honest about) it's important for all students to have a computing device, especially at secondary level. Here's one example: let's say I have a class today in journalism. Well, there's a lot I can teach about cogent writing, and it's valuable, but if I don't include something about the blogging phenomenon, the new copyright issues, etc., I am negligent. And... how do I do that if they don't all have computers handy? And how do they put together their publication, which is on-line? And how do they post the material from their beats (which consist of text messages, and cell phone images?) Today, teaching in most subjects just doesn't work well without computers, because, working in most fields doesn't either. I just wanted to voice support for one-one ratio of devices. Laptops are expensive (especially to keep batteries charged, replaced, etc.) and the netbooks need to mature more, but it’s the only answer to the question: “how many computers should a school have?” There’s simply no other equitable way to get to where you can assign, collect, provide, share, collaborate or otherwise have students participate in a technology immersed wider world. It’s true that we value mostly “any century skills” such as character, work habits, etc., but we do need to incorporate practical, relevant activities to prepare students for the technology immersion of today. It’s also important because we need to model strategies for coping with the “information storm,” keeping safe on-line, etc. So yes, in spite of the technical headaches and the need for additional support staff (which we must be honest about) it’s important for all students to have a computing device, especially at secondary level.
Here’s one example: let’s say I have a class today in journalism. Well, there’s a lot I can teach about cogent writing, and it’s valuable, but if I don’t include something about the blogging phenomenon, the new copyright issues, etc., I am negligent. And… how do I do that if they don’t all have computers handy? And how do they put together their publication, which is on-line? And how do they post the material from their beats (which consist of text messages, and cell phone images?) Today, teaching in most subjects just doesn’t work well without computers, because, working in most fields doesn’t either.

]]> By: Real Gary Ball http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html/comment-page-1#comment-11073 Real Gary Ball Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/03/iowa-a-computer-in-every-hand.html#comment-11073 My school (and division) have both been working to increase the number of computers/laptops available. I don't think that we will hit a 1:1 ratio but we are running into speedbumps. The biggest one is bandwidth. More and more we are using online tools. These online tools use lots of bandwidth. Add that to more and more computers and we will need more and more bandwidth. It is fine for the urban schools - it is easy for the division to give them more bandwidth. The problem is at a school like mine - a rural school. Our bandwidth has been capped to save money. My school with about 80 computers has less bandwidth than my house does. Computers are not enough. We need the whole package - the tools AND the support. Soon we will be getting a cell phone tower nearby. I wonder if any of us will use the cell phone for teaching? My school (and division) have both been working to increase the number of computers/laptops available. I don’t think that we will hit a 1:1 ratio but we are running into speedbumps. The biggest one is bandwidth. More and more we are using online tools. These online tools use lots of bandwidth. Add that to more and more computers and we will need more and more bandwidth. It is fine for the urban schools – it is easy for the division to give them more bandwidth. The problem is at a school like mine – a rural school. Our bandwidth has been capped to save money. My school with about 80 computers has less bandwidth than my house does. Computers are not enough. We need the whole package – the tools AND the support.

Soon we will be getting a cell phone tower nearby. I wonder if any of us will use the cell phone for teaching?

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