Well, it was amazing, but just lead to more uncertainty. Will our school stand up to this?????? The school building itself is not much to look at, old, but clean. The learning inside was really the focus and emphasis. It was interesting to see the difference in priorities. Just like people...some are concerned with the glitz and glamour of the outer shell, while others focus on their inner self. There has to be some type of balance and this school was all about the inner self.
It was inspiring to see kids in the hallway working on laptops, every student engaged, working, and learning. The Director of Technology, Principal and Superintendent were so hospitable, welcoming, and helpful!!! (Thanks!!) Their words of wisdom were scary, but not in the way you would think. The biggest thing that I took away from today was trust. If you don't have trust between administrators-staff, staff-students, students-staff, etc., it won't work. Yes, boys will look at inappropriate material, girls will cyberbully, but it is the MINORITY, not the majority. What happens??? Same thing that happens to the kid who writes abusive language on the desk, disciplinary action.
Second to truth was to have a paradigm shift. Students are encouraged through character education to take responsibility for the laptops and produce programs to support anti-cyberbullying. It is ingrained in their culture. Best of all, kids in one Civics class were actually making presentations based on laws they are recommending to their city, county, and state governments. It was problem-based learning in action, and isn't that the goal??? We want to make kids ready for the workplace, they need to be problem solvers, not problem creators. (Like when the cash register doesn't work and tell them the exact change :o) Problems are changing and kids need to be able to use multimedia and other methods to show their talents. (If only state testing would allow that!)
Our last concern was money and PD that allows for teacher application in the classroom. I am going to push for time in our own rooms to make things work for us, not in a computer lab at a workshop. Springfield said that their teachers translated what they had learned best when they learned at home and hands on. Also, note to self: changing computer lab rooms into presentation rooms???? --they had some rooms that weren't being used, I thought it would be a great idea, like a conference room / multimedia room where kids could present their work or projects.
I hope to start posting some sites that I find helpful soon!!!
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