21st Century Schools
A response to the blog : “Teach Paperless”
21 Things that will Become Obsolete by 20202
I agree that many things will change over the course of the next decade. I do not feel that all of the changes will be affected to the degree that the author does. The obsolescence of grade levels, home work, and the end of parent conferences are some items mentioned by the author that I do not feel are going to change as much as the author feels that they will. The increase of apathy among the incoming students towards anything that is not exactly what they want to do does not change simply because technology is involved. Parents want to know why students have home work. They want to know why they can not learn it in the eight hours they are here. I do not think that twenty four hour access to schooling will change that fact.
On of the biggest trends in higher education is on line classes. Professors realize and advise students that an incredible level of self discipline is required to succeed in this setting. Students today are of the generation that is the first to have every thing centered on them and their happiness. Simply implementing technology does not change this fact.
I have spoken to and questioned students about the changing scope of education and technology. The upper level students are excited and eager for the changes. The average to below average students could care less. This is the same trend for success using block scheduling, project based learning, and countless other initiatives. The high students will succeed regardless of the pedagogical method employed. Those average and at the low end of average are going to fight no matter what we do.
There has been research to suggest that teachers who have a one to four computer to student ratio in there classrooms are more apt to integrate technology regularly than if they access to a one to one ratio lab. The reasons cited are ease of access and preparation. the lab setting requires an additional level of planning over and above what is needed to incorporate group technology use already present in the classroom. In order to increase the level of technology integration at Lumberton High School, teachers need access to the technology without having to retrieve or schedule it with someone. There also needs to exist enough of it so that teachers of the same subject and grade do not have to alternate A/B block cycles. They need to be able to use the technology on the same days.
The computer on wheels were cutting edge when placed into use. They have diminished effectiveness due to time required to log on when used by a class. They would be ideal if this issue could be rectified. I consider them to be the same as a desk top lab. They still require scheduling by the teacher. If for some reason things do not work then the teacher is required to "punt" for her lesson. If students are absent or have extra time accomodations, the computers may be in another teacher's room. There needs to be some sort of daily student access point in each teacher's class room.
A revision to our acceptable use policy needs to be considered. Our filter settings block many legitimate cites needed by students. Sending a request for review of the cite blocking can take up to three days of instruction time on the block schedule even if their is a 24 hour turn around on the request. the current trends in liturature and the State Long Range Plan are for student on-line collaboration with others across the state, nation, and globe. If a teacher were to create on-line multi media content for students, they would not be able to access it during school hours on school computers.
There is going to have to be a major paradigm shift in order for the standardized test to loose effectiveness. I also do not see the school lunch going away due to federal funding. I think that we have to be careful that we do not fall victim to the Jetson’s Paradox when predicting changes in education. After all, I am still waiting for my jet car.
