Education ∪ Math ∪ Technology

Day: April 25, 2013 (page 1 of 1)

Four ways to use computers in education

 Four ways to use a computer in education: assessment, content delivery, exploration, programming

Which of these ways dominates? Why?

 

* Note: There are some tasks which overlap. Programming a computer (under the creation category) to achieve a specific task could be a form of assessment, for example. Also, one could probably argue that "exploration" and "programming" aren’t really distinct categories. 

Teaching teachers

"Just as we know students don’t learn simply because we tell them something, teachers don’t learn simply because we hand them a journal article." ~ Jo Boaler

This is part of my daily challenge as a learning specialist for mathematics and information technology. I can share research, suggestions, and resources, but how much of what I share actually changes practice?

 

Here is what I have found that does make a difference in their learning for my colleagues:

  • I develop strong positive relationships with my colleagues,
  • I share timely resources with my colleagues,
  • I help them plan units and lessons,
  • I work with my colleagues in one on one sessions and offer them support that meets their current needs,
  • I share the big picture and my vision with my colleagues (and listen to their vision to make it our vision),
  • I visit their classes and give them support (as opposed to enforcing a specific direction) in the context of their classroom practices.

 

Here’s what I do not do:

  • I do not make my colleagues feel stupid, even when I am showing them how to do something for the 5th time,
  • I try my best not to preach,
  • I don’t keep what I do to fix their technology problems a secret,
  • I try not to overwhelm my colleagues with too many changes at once,
  • I do not ignore their requests for help.