We need to practice...

I am serving on a working group that is looking at technology within the Poudre School District. We have been charged with creating a plan for technology within the district. A bit of the conversation has centered on lack of support and training for staff and faculty. This ultimately led to a dismal conversation about budgets and lack of funding for things like training sessions for teachers. This conversation fascinated me for the following reasons…

First, learning has changed. Learning to me is less-and-less about instruction on “how to” do something, and more-and-more about an ongoing conversation with colleagues. Learning is less-and-less about structured training and more-and-more about just-in-time information that is accessed through community and connection. Learning (about technology or other subjects) is less-and-less about budgets and more-and-more about individual effort and interest.

Second, many of us are stuck. We are stuck in our old ways of thinking. It is hard for us to truly understand and appreciate how learning has changed. You see it is difficult to understand what David Warlick was actually saying when he said, “In the 21^st Century we learn from each other” because at face value it seems trivial. You might react by saying, I learn from others now, or… that is what I have my students doing when they work in groups. But, at this level of understanding you are missing the significance of the change. I would argue that “learning from each other”, requires a connection to the bigger world (the Internet). We need a broader audience than our local school or workplace. We need to connect to people who share our ideas and are engaged in learning about those ideas.

Third, we don’t practice. When we were first learning “how to learn” it took practice. Learning from books and other library materials took understanding. Understanding about how to use library catalogs, book indexes, references, and periodicals. Learning has changed. We need to practice with these 21st Century tools. If we don’t, as I mentioned above, we will not understand what David Warlick and others understand about 21^st Century learning. We need to provide teachers with access to the Internet and then let them practice. We need to get them to engage in 21^st Century learning so that they can understand and pass on the valuable lesson that, “In the 21^st Century we learn from each other.”

Edutopia.org

I just discovered edutopia.org - a visually intensive site that is produced and maintained by the George Lucas Foundation. The site is dedicated to documenting and disseminating information and inspiration for innovative teaching in K-12 schools.

I suggest that you watch George Lucus' discussion on visual literacy and the power and accessibility of digital and multimedia communication technology. The video that chronicles the San Fernando Education Technology Team is inspirational. The social studies instructor (Marco Torres) talks about closing the digital divide and making content relevant with video technology.

Please comment if you find other interesting content on this website.

Tablet PC - Toshiba

I have had several colleagues ask me about my Toshiba tablet PC. I tell them that it is one of the most useful technologies that I have purchased. I want to share some details on how I am using this technology, but first here are the specifications on my machine.

Here is what I purchased:

• Toshiba Portege M400 with an Intel Core 2 processor running at 2.00 GHz with 1 GB of RAM.
  
• Toshiba Express Port Replicator (docking station) that allows for a quick connection to the network and my external monitor (highly recommended).
  
• Toshiba slice expansion 6-cell Li-ion battery pack. I recommend an additional battery for this machine. I have used this battery pack often as meetings and lengthier classes tend to require longer battery life. This battery pack works but charging requires planning - as it can only be charged- when it is attached to the laptop.
  
• Additional Toshiba pen (I leave one pen in the computer's "garage" (a nice built-in slot for storing the pen) and I leave one attached to my Port Replicator. It is nice to have an extra pen. Remember the pen is required to operate the touch screen functions of this computer. This is ideal as it allows you to touch the computer's screen (resting your hand on the screen) while writing with the pen). However, if you misplace the pen you will not be able to use the tablet functions of the computer.

Here is how I am using the technology...

• Tablet PCs allow you to place electronic ink (called "inking") on many different types of documents (see example below). The "inking" function on the Toshiba M400 is excellent, providing a nice feel (feeling of writing) and look (appearance of written words).
  
• I take my tablet with me to all meetings and use it to take notes. This allows me to retrieve my meeting notes when I need them.
  
• I am using Microsoft's note taking program called OneNote (2007). This application is great and I would argue a necessary addition to any Tablet PC. I keep handwritten notes and store them within OneNote's filing system. I also print .pdf documents directly into OneNote and then I take notes directly on that newly created OneNote document using my tablet pen (see image below of .pdf document with "inking").

• I read documents while holding the tablet as though I am reading a book. I find that it is comfortable to hold the tablet on my lap or at arms length and read documents (dissertations, newspaper posts, RSS feeds, .pdf journal articles, for example). I typically print these documents into OneNote and take notes while I am reading.
  
• I have been using the "inking" function in Microsoft Word to edit various academic documents (you can "ink" on the top of any MSword document) . I then send that inked document to my students for review.
  
• I have also been using the "inking" function in PowerPoint. As I am presenting, I use my pen to circle important bullets, to draw illustrations, and to facilitate and take notes during open discussions.

One final note: several computer companies make tablet PCs. I did some research and found that the Toshiba M400 consistently received favorable ratings. If you are interested in finding additional reviews and information you may want to look at http://www.tabletpcreview.com/. In addition, I found that Toshiba's sales staff was extremely helpful. Jacob Wozniak (Sales Representative -University sales) was great to work with. If you are looking to purchase a Toshiba tablet I would recommend that you give him a call (888)625-3276 x7077. I don't get any commissions from Jake - it is just nice when you find someone that provides excellent support.