Thoughts on 10/26 Speakers Panel and Project
Access to higher education, to technology, to a high quality
education is inequitable. What are the inequities in your educational setting?
What is one thing you learned from the projects and speakers in class on 10/26
that you can employ to begin to level the playing field? Post immediately when
you get home. Ask a question to your colleagues that pushes them to think about the inequities in your workplace. By October 30, read all of your colleagues’ posts. Find the 2-3
posts that have a similar action to that which you said you could take to “level
the playing field.” Support and encourage one another to take action. Does this
“action” become a part of your Futurist scenario? How is it related?
Technology...the great divide. The good news is that it doesn't have to be. Connecting students to their schools, teachers, and the world via the net is a noble cause and a worthwhile endeavor. Programs like Casa Familiar provide "technology and education enhancement for very low-income youth and families in San Ysidro".
ReplyDeleteI am in support of providing internet access to all students. If schools are educating 21st students and teachers are requiring students to surf the web, blog, and post assignments then school districts must provide access.
My favorite moment of the night was watching the eyes of the mom on the panel light up when she talked about how she uses technology. Technology empowers her and it shows!
One of the students on the panel talked about how they would "pay it forward" for the services, training, and classes they have participated in because of the technology resources provided by Casa Familiar. This one collaborative effort has changed the lives of not just the students who sat before us, but has also changed the families they are a part of. Bravo to SDCOE and the forward movement to change lives.
My take-away for the night is to consider how technology can be provided for students and families that is not free of change but instead are in exchange for services. The students shared how they provide workshops based on their "forte" for the community. It's a great way to give back.
October 26, 2011 – SDCOE Class – San Ysidro Broadband & Casa Familiar Digital Connectors Program
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, let me share how impressed I am with the power of community and collaboration as exhibited by these programs shared with our cohort tonight. The focus on returning “life” to the community through education and avenues to the world via internet access is necessary. Harry Bloom’s statement, “electricity, water and broadband – the necessities of life” interests me.
Creating a vibrant connection to one another and increased opportunities as an avenue to future development is fundamental to existence within communities. Incorporating community service into the learning of students is a progressive component of learning which meets the needs of a global network. Truly wonderful that CISCO is taking control of the education of youth. This is an edge which Christensen may have been referring to in Disrupting the Classroom. The collaboration between education and businesses to produce students skilled to meet the needs of the future is where the public school system is dropping the ball. The examples shared tonight are exactly what should happen.
I am beginning to think the public school system should be replaced by “business educators.” These business educators are individuals who have been trained in a specific field i.e. radiology, technology, etc. and who also have an expertise in the area of education. The business educator may act as a mediator between the school system whether it is private, charter or public and help connect youth to their futures through meaningful learning.
In our school system, this may be a 21st Century work experience teacher. An educator savvy enough to be involved in all types of businesses: medicine, restaurant, service, etc. Expanding the role of the counselor may also be another avenue to creating a direct and authentic connection between students and their futures. This type of connection consists of building skills which allow a student to give back to the community. In addition, the building of connections with a global community is vital as well. The connection with the global community is one I see clearly in the Navy town of Coronado. The Navy is an organization which has global connections, and yet I see its influence in our schools limited to ROTC.
All in all, the passion, opportunities and future glowing in these young people’s faces is thrilling to see. The question is how we illuminate that passion in all students.
Mr. Dillard-
ReplyDeleteI found it quite interesting how a place can be so different when they given the resources to succeed.
From the panel of guest speakers one of the things that I was able to take away from the discussion is how big this money thing and knowledge thing really is. Resources usually come from the money that someone spends whether it is the state, federal government, or the community. In the discussion, it was amazing to count how many times money came up in people's testimonies whether it was how much technology costed, or how much they saved through the use of the new broadband.
The other thing that I noticed was how knowledge triumped all. Once the mother started to learn how to use the computer, she became empowered to use the technology, and therefore was able to get in contact with her family to keep mutual communication. She then discovered that she saved money by doing this. Her initial knowledge of the technology ended up leading to learning that she saved money but also that there was more that she could learn about the techonology that she possessed.
Dr. Stall-Did you want us to comment on your post, or post on our own blogs?
ReplyDeleteGarry, you are so right on about the money! The economic disparities in this country are astonishing: the richest 1% of Americans earn 20% of the money! I just talked to a mom whose family income of $26,000 meant they make too much to get into Head Start. How does a family of 4 live on $26,000 in Poway???
It would be great to see more and more communities support students and help them to find access to the internet! In my schools, we use school loop which is a great technology tool for students and parents to access teachers' daily lesson plans, news, tutorials and more importantly students' grades.
ReplyDeleteHowever, many of my parents can't take advantage of this great technology tool due to the fact that most of our students come from economically disadvantaged families.
I think it is important for school administrators to continually work on reaching the community and business leaders and get their support to help our kids find access to technology.