By now, everyone I know knows that I just started a new job at our district office. And this masters class. When I started teaching in an English classroom 20 years ago, I was on a team with a bank of computers dedicated to us- just us. We were the Math and Science Technology Team for Franklin Middle School-- a magnet that was supposed to attract students from around the city to our north side, predominantly African-American school. And, as I recall, the program did attract students of all backgrounds. We used technology as a carrot back then, and, as the English teacher, I used it often to encourage students to write and rewrite papers. Oh, how the times have changed!
Now, the technology piece is in place across the district; no longer the carrot that drives students to a particular destination. Computer labs are in every school. Now, it is the programs that attract students looking for certain learning experiences. CAD Design, Multimedia Graphic Design classes, the Radio Program at North High School, the Arts programs around the city; the content is primarily what attracts the students to different programs and the technology has evolved into a "helping and supporting" role.
I have/had my apprehensions about how technology can transform the classroom. But they are being assuaged by research I am doing on the subject. Opportunities exist with technology that can help level the playing field of education, enhance teaching and learning and create environments where students are able to truly explore subject matter in many different ways.
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