The Technology Future - Discussions on New Technology for the Classroom

Many of you know I am a fan of technology both inside and outside of the classroom.  With technology moving so fast, I do wonder if schools will be keeping up so I want to send this your way.

 My concern is based on engagement.  What I fear is that children will become disconnected from truly engaging if technology used at home is significantly more advanced than that found at school.

I think collaborative learning using technology will help find children's passions more effectively - and more often.

 “We Don’t Need No Stink’n Textbooks” #Beyondthetextbook

So, as I read this, I think there are perhaps a few things that I believe are benefits of using technology that may not have come up in their discussions.  

Particularly, I believe that things that take teachers significant time should be automated.  To me, this means that personal development and better lesson plans will come out of having the extra time.  All I had to ask myself is why a teacher would be manually grading tests or exams any longer (outside of answers that require long answers written out).  I think that everyday quizzes, tests and assignments should be digitally cataloged without needing eyeballs or data entry.

Could teachers be using that grading time for more productive purposes?  

So, without any more drama on my end, I leave you with this.  Technology in the classroom is good and it is important and we all should support innovation that helps schools better engage with children.

Ok, Until next time!
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Twitter.com/believekids

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Confession - Two Things I Say That My Parents Never Did...

I was just realizing that I do something that I want to confess.  Relatively frequently, I say something to my kids that was completely unheard of just a few years ago.  I realize now that my parents had their own threats.  Here are mine:

The first...


"I'm going to Facebook you"

So, I find myself saying this anytime my kids do something that I can take a photo of that would be compromising.  I don't mean that I would really put anything up that's bad but I can't help it.  It's fun to say.

The second...

"We should put that on YouTube!"

The only analogy is perhaps submitting a VHS tape to America's Funniest Home Videos years ago.  I think in terms of recording everything on video on my phone.  I would love to submit all the crazy stuff my boys do but saying it pretty much accomplishes it for me.

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We all love our technology these days! 

I even find the boys seriously suggesting that we make movies for posting online as well.  Pretty amazing that they get to grow up with iPads in the classroom, Smart Boards and such easy access to information.  I know they will benefit from the collaborative learning that will come out of using technology in the classroom. 

On a personal note.  I think it's amazing that they will be  growing up not knowing what it means to have no high-speed internet.  They are going to understand devices and technology in a completely new way.  Always connected.

Fun times!

Ok, until next time.

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school fundraiser

Innovative Schools, EdReform and EdTech

Hi.

I want to share a very quick sentiment. Not a scientific one, nor a particularly studious one either.

I think schools are at a crossroads.

Presented with no way to continue as is, I believe schools have to choose innovation and technology, collaborative learning and new methods or choose to do nothing and risk becoming irrelevant.

So, without sounding preachy or over-dramatic I would encourage anyone who reads this to take a look at a few of the resources available to you that embrace change and improvement:

Twitter - search for hash tags:

#edtech
#edreform
#education

Things will change, it's inevitable.  Professionally, Believe Kids is very interested in how we can help fund this technical revolution.  Personally, I just learn more everyday and where most people see shrinking budgets and negativity, I see possibility. 


I think you will see possibility as well if you just take a look at what your peers are doing.


Ok, until next time.


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As always, feel free to keep the conversation going here in the form of comments or on twitter - twitter.com/believekids


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