When I was a kid, the coolest technology was the mimeograph. Remember those damp, blue-tinged copies that were fun to sniff?
Well, thank goodness things have improved a bit since then. Entire schools are now buying iPads for students.
I am as dazzled by the latest technology as the next person, but I do think it requires creativity and skill to use technological gadgets well in the classroom or in the course of learning. Let’s just say I don’t think that much learning is happening when my daughter spends precious minutes of her life picking out a hairstyle, lip shade and eye color for a digital Lady Gaga.
An EdNews Parent reader recently accused me of being a technophobe, since whenever I ran a post about technology it seemed to be in the context of cyberbullying, identify theft, risqué photos, or brain numbing online games. In other words, I was letting parental fear and good ‘ol cynicism be my guides. (Read her critique of EdNews Parent and add your own comments).
I had to take a step back and agree with her. Now, this Denver Public Schools parent has agreed to be one of my experts.
Karen Sorensen is speaker and educator on entrepreneurship, education and technology in P-20 education. She is founder of 21st Century Education, an “edutainment” company that develops multimedia mobile learning solutions for the P-20 market. Check out her website www.21stcenturyedu.com or ask her a question about how technology is used in the classroom – or how you can help your child use it to the fullest in his or her quest for new knowledge and understanding. Welcome aboard, Karen.
In celebration of this new emphasis on technology as a learning tool, I figured I’d let you all know about Digital Learning Day, which is Wednesday.
Apparently, more than 10,000 teachers and 1.5 million students have signed up to participate in this first-ever national event, sponsored by the Alliance for Excellent Education.
The main event is a “town hall meeting” featuring U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education, Kristin Kipp, an English teacher at the Jeffco Virtual Academy, Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and live interaction via Skype with school sites around the country – including Englewood schools.
The discussion will profile “great teachers who are effectively using technology to deliver instruction and focus on successful education innovation projects that demonstrate how technology can be used in the classroom to improve student outcomes.” Whew! Let’s hope the event is a lot more stimulating than that sentence.. It’s important to know and understand how technology is used so it’s not a useless time suck. I teach as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Colorado and yes, I’ve had to tell students it’s not OK to be Facebooking right now. “Helloooo! I’m talking!” Could I do a better job of integrating technology in my lessons? Well, yes… (For some good ideas, check out this recent EdNews Parent expert post).
Digital town hall coordinates
The digital town hall event will be held from 11 to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday (Mountain Time).
To watch a live internet broadcast of the National Town Hall register at http://digitallearningday.eventbrite.com/.
A live satellite feed of the town hall is also available at the following coordinates: Galaxy 3C/K6 Slot A (9 mhz); Downlink Frequency: 11801 H; Symbol Rate: 6.1113; FEC: ¾. (Wow, I have absolutely no idea what this means…And I’ve been watching old Star Trek episodes, too.) Contact Chanlee Parks at chanlee@dciteleport.com or (202) 470-5140 with questions or problems.
So, tune in. And, as Capt. Janeway would say, “ Engage!”
About our First Person series:
First Person is where Chalkbeat features personal essays by educators, students, parents, and others trying to improve public education. Read our submission guidelines here.