As a teacher in a technology master's program, I find it very frustrating that many of my students do not have access to the internet, let alone a computer. I am in a 60% free and reduced lunch district, so our kids have very limited access to the technology that would really enhance their learning. While I would love to be able to send work home (essays, research projects, etc), I have to use class time to get these types of assignments done. It becomes such a hassle that I tend to avoid doing them, or I make them short so that we won't be spending an inordinate amount of time in the computer lab. Even trying to contact parents is a pain when trying to call at the right time.
My wish list for Christmas: That my students and their parents would have access to the computers at our school after school hours. If the computer lab could be open a few nights a week for parents to access email and student grades, it would make a big difference. They would also be able to search for jobs and build resumes. Students would be able to get essays typed and projects done. Of course, this all requires money and/or volunteers to be on hand to supervise and answer any questions.
Does a plan like this seem feasible, or is it simply too big to handle?
Bolero in Paris
14 years ago
Amy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great plan! It would be good to talk with your Principal and see if there is building money to pay someone an hourly wage to open your computer lab for students and parents. We have a building team that we can bring these issues to for improving buiding needs and that would be another way to push your idea. I hope you 'go for it' and then let us hear how it turns out!! Amy M.
That would be very cool. Would there be a sercurity issue? Use of the technology? Open to anyone-- prove that they are connected/tied to the school? What about students going to a county library? Is that feasible?
ReplyDeleteWe have a group of students in the district I am in right now that are bused in from the inner city and many of them have no access to a computer or the internet outside of school. So, I too have to use a lot of class time to get projects done and if they don't complete it, they do have to find a way to get it done (this ends up being time on their own that is either spend before or after school using our library computers OR we do have the luxury of buses that run every afternoon like an hour after school for those students to still catch and get a ride home) So, I hope that you can work something out, because I have enjoyed all the projects that I have done with my students this semester using the computers and internet!!
Leah, I am so jealous of your late bus! We had one a few years ago, but it was cut due to funds. According to some of the powers that be, the kids weren't using it enough to justify the money. However, since we no longer have the bus my tutoring numbers have dropped drastically. I still think it was a benefit.
ReplyDeleteI struggle assigning computer assignments when I know that so many of my students do not have access to computers and may not even have the transportation to get to a computer. I spent a good chunk of time calling parents yesterday about failing grades, and I was shocked to find out how many of my students' parents do not have transportation. It certainly makes our job as educators harder when our kids cannot even get a ride for tutoring.
I love this idea as well. You can also use this as a way to get parents more involved at school. That may be an angle you can pitch too as well. I know we are always looking for ways to get our parents to school. As far as who to man it that is another question. As always it comes down to money. In our district they hire H.S. students to "intern" in the IT dept. I wonder if they could use them at night to trouble shoot for parents but I think it would also be a good idea if teachers could "volunteer" to spend some time in there as well. Especially when you have a big project due. This would also help build those bridges between students and parents.
ReplyDeleteAmy, great topic idea! Last year I had my website all set up for students to get there homework right online and they would have been able to send it back to me via the website,(paperless!!), but like you said in your post many of my student did not have internet access. Our educational system wants our students to use technology so they can be better prepared for the future, but how can we prepare them for this, when many of our youth do not have the ability.
ReplyDeleteIn my Emerging Technologies class, my students' final project is a case study where they 'solve a technical challenge'. This would be a perfect case study topic. If you are planning to take the course, use this as your case study topic.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, if you like, I can send you the assignment document. Later -- when you have the time, you could write your plan up following the case study template. Then submit it to your school district.
In some cases my students have been successfully implemented the plan in their case study because they were able to present a solid, well researched argument for change. This would be a chance to really take advantage of your Master's degree.