I put a photocopier in my dream classroom.
No one else mentioned it in our discussion, so I kept it quietly in the corner by the window in my drawing. I have a bit of prior teaching experience (you can see my profile or just ask me if you want to know more about it), and I'll say now that one of the biggest sources of stress during that time was the photocopier! Once, I had to ask a senior colleague repeatedly, "Are you finished?" because he was checking his stocks online between copy jobs.
One of the most interesting ways I've seen technology used is as a feather in a school's cap. Promotional material boasts of computer labs, digital imaging facilities, teachers integrating technology, digitized library resources...how much of it is used regularly and appropriately, and how much of it sits untouched? (and how many staff members are completely clueless or terrified to give it a try? get this: I had a colleague at my former school who essentially refused to type documents and preferred to write everything by hand). My former school boasted a driving simulation room, an observatory, a robotics center, and a nano-something lab (sounded very high-tech), none of which I was ever given permission or instructions to use. Ok, so we don't usually let students look through telescopes in English class, but still - it would have been nice to have had a tour. And maybe even encouragement that I could and should try to use some of these resources in my teaching.
Being able to use technology (or at least say you can) can help you get a teaching job, too. Several of the job openings I've seen recently list something like"integrating technology in the classroom" as a criteria for employment.
Technology is a selling point, just like modern facilities and big-name faculty. For your enjoyment, I'm including a propaganda photo of "professional development" from my former school.
stick a feather in your cap and call it high-tech
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Saturday, July 12, 2008
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8 comments:
Katie,
You're so right, I can't believe I did not consider a copier. I also had that problem in my previous middle school. More often than I'd care to admit, I would create my class materials the night before and then show up to a broken copier...yikes! Also, I think you were in my discussion group this past week...so in the classroom I was assigned to take the wonderful MTTC this morning, there was a smartboard at the front of the room. I was excited...hey it was early and I was taking a test...something to be positive about.
That's also a really interesting point about flaunting technology as an advertisement. I never thought about that but wonder if that's one technique that private schools use to attract "customers." In DC, if you were not poor, you DID NOT go to a DC public school. You either lived in a suburb or paid way to much for a private education. Even those who could not move swamped the waiting lists at charter schools. I'm sure technology was definitely a drawing point for those who could pay. One school in particular had a semi-professional theater.
Was your school in China private or public? You talked a little bit in one class about the competitiveness, but how does it work. Did students have to pay?
Anyway, thanks for the insight!
Leanne
GAH! That is so true- what a pain!! Having access to a copy machine would be crucial. It would be even more important to be able to make more than 400 copies in a term (ahem, University of Michigan!). Seriously thought, I can't believe we have the same printing quota as the undergrad sudents! Not that they don't also require the use of a printer, but seriously? How my retenas ACHE after reading all of these assignments on the computer!! Ok, but back to your copier comment, yes, that would be a very nice thing to have. I also agree with your "techno-advert" point, however I don't think it is just in private schools. Especially with "school of choice," I think that public schools benefit but "teching-it-up" in this way too.
I'd also like to point out that, according to Super Mario Brothers, "a feather in your hat" was a really high-tech tool! I'm not sure why it turned you into a racoon, or why being a racoon gave you floating and flying capabilities... but anyway, feathers are cool like that. =o)
Hi Katie,
It's very interesting to here your thoughts about technology. And it really is a pity that technology is being wasted because people are afraid to use it. Having said that, I believe that we are still in a transitional period, as technology is still something new and 'mysterious' for many. I hope this phase will pass as more teacher like us get trained and enthusiastic about technological resources.
I'm surprised that in China people were hesitant to use technology. The sliver part of China that I saw was very backwards in terms of living conditions (even running water was a luxury!), but technology was still everywhere, and people were surprisingly competent. I had the feeling that Chinese society was stressing technology as a way to get ahead fast. Of course, there were also the many 'country folk' who had never used a computer before.
Anyway, very cool post.
BTW, I can tell you're an English major--very stylistic writing ;D I love it!
Allison
Leanne- you took the MTTC at Willow Run, right? since I'm doing my student teaching there, I might have a smartboard to look forward to.
My school in China was private, but many of the facilities were shared with a public school...it works at little differently there since students test into high schools (public ones). Tuition at the private school was roughly $10K per year (USD)...a bargain compared to some of the other area schools!
Stephanie - I KNOW! I'm so annoyed about the printing allotment. And to respond to a point both you & Leanne made, I think public schools (especially the suburban ones in SE Michigan) flaunt their new high-tech facilities, even if they aren't schools of choice. I think it's just a way to show off.
Allison- I think you're right, and part of the benefit of a class like 504 is that we're less nervous about using/experimenting with technology.
You're right about technology in China - there are such huge disparities, especially between rural and urban. The ironic thing is that the higher-end consumers try to get foreign-made electronics because they know they're better than the domestically produced ones!
First of all, my compliments on the aesthetics of your blog. Your headline photo is terrific, Katie. (we have to talk about China at some point soon). While we're talking about the feel of the space, it's also nice to see you singling out your visitors for responses--good modeling.
Photocopier...great catch. It could definitely make life easier. We will actually talk a bit on Friday about computer technology and it's frequent role as symbol (showing that we're up to date, on the cutting edge, etc.) I know that you can appreciate the fact that a big part of our agenda in having you do that "tech in my placement" assignment is so that you might get a lead on some useful equipment hiding in a storage room in your building somewhere. Computers have also played a significant political role in terms of public perception as connected to school politics and school finance (and very importantly, as Leanne suggests, as a lure to recruit students with a choice option). It is sometimes the case that tech. purchases are done in lieu of trying to tackle more challenging educational issues.
Katie,
At this school that was boasting the technology, did you ever actively seek out the information? Were you told "You don't need to worry about this."?
I understand the frustration with the school not actively making everything available to you, but I doubt that they were actively trying to withhold it from you.
Knowing that the technology is there is step 1. Gaining access to it would be step 2.
As far as people's strange tech habits, my best friend's mother prints her email, (including the junk mail,) reads it, and then recycles the paper.
thanks for your comments, Jeff & David! J- I'm happy to talk about China any time. I've tried to be careful with it so far because I don't want to annoy people with neverending stories (or become known as the "China girl"!). D - you've asked a great question, and the answer is that I never asked about using the technology resources I mentioned in the list. The admin's hesitance to share resources (tech or not) became immediately evident when I asked about using the outdoor pool, and they told me the weather was too cold. In August. So yeah, I'm complaining without having truly exhausted all my options.
doesn't your friend's mom go through ink cartridges like crazy?
A photocopier! What a brilliant idea! I think I need one of those, too. Next to my coffee machine. And my robot teaching assistant/automatic grading machine.
I hate waiting in line for the copier. Invariably if I don't arrive way early when substitute teaching, the note will say, "please copy the following pages for distribution in class." Not that I even had keys to the copy room or anything. Sigh.
And I like the picture! You all look wonderfully professionally developed!
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