Readings for Week of April 2nd - 6th

Billions of dollars are being spent each year to prepare students and schools for technology demands and challenges. However, with all the advances, evidence suggests that schools are a long way from leveraging technology's potential. There are also large gaps between the advantaged and disadvantaged students in schools that have access to computers at home. Also with NCLB, many schools are using technology for testing purposes and drill practice and advocates for technology believe that a main focus should be put on helping students sift through all the data on the web and make sense of the noteworthy information. Advocates for technology want students tested for technology standards along with the math, language arts, science, and history advocates. However, from state assessments, how can anyone judge if the teachers are doing their job or if the students have the knowledge to succeed? State assessments can only infer that a student has mastered the tested knowledge - What about everything the student has mastered that is not being tested?

The report showed that in 2007 Kansas faired quit well against other states. Kansas endorses technology standards for students, teachers, and administrators. Kansas ratio of computers to students is less than the national average. Kansas averages about 2.5 instructional computers per student as opposed to the national average of 3 to 4. Kansas state technology report card showed that Kansas received an A- for access to technology, a B- for use of technology, a C for the capacity to use technology and an overall grade of B-. The average state score was a C+.

I agree that technology is not being utilized to its fullest advantage. Schools have come a long way over the last 10 years. Many students are taking virtual courses due to scheduling and work. This is good, but I don't believe virtual college is for everyone. Virtual courses are also promising for those students needing more challenging work. Podcasts, i-movies, etc... are all great ways for students to learn. There is so much available to a person anymore.

What about laptops replacing textbooks in Louisiana district? This document had a server error. However, many articles have been written on laptops replacing computers and there are many advocates for laptops replacing textbooks. Look at the college books that are offered on line at a lower price. Personally, I still like books, but I also like computers. I like to switch back and forth. I personally do not want to go strictly to laptops, maybe this is age? Like anything else, some people draw better, some people are great writers, some people need to be spoken to, some people are visual learners. I started thinking about this and it hit me, we have access to all of this on our laptops, educators and students just need to learn how to utilize it all. If books and schooling go strictly online I would be O.K. with this especially if classes had visual podcasts and teacher notes on the screen.