I listened to the following media segment on the way in to work this week. All week long NPR has been exploring kids and technology with a focus on raising digital natives. This piece, For The Tablet Generation, A Lesson In Digital Citizenship, examined the use of iPads in schools and the omnipresent concerns about providing secure search parameters for students. The issue of students circumventing profiles as part of the LA School District iPad initiative has raised very public concerns over the use of iPads or even tech in school and has caused the LA School District to slow down the planned roll-out.
I think the best part of the NPR piece is a conversation between a student and his grandmother. The grandson and grandmother talk about Facebook. The grandmother is skeptical about the use of Facebook mostly as a result of what she has heard. In contrast, the grandson shares why Facebook is a valuable resource for learning. What resonated with me is that a conversation transpired. Individuals were allowed to have conversation about social networking. As opposed to banning technology or as most commonly seen restricting the use of social networking platforms, an open exchange developed.
If there are concerns about what students could / can access I'm not sure what is gained from restricting access. This simple but important exchange between family members represents the types of conversations we hope students have with teachers. Where better to mentor students on ethical uses than in our classrooms. This can only occur in an open system where authentic and spontaneous issues regarding digital citizenship rise to the surface.
Showing posts with label iPads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iPads. Show all posts
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Authentic Excitement
Last week the 1:1 iPad program I am part of was officially launched. Over the course of two days we handed out iPads to 400 7th graders. We spent two days distributing and setting up devices and also providing an extended help desk to students.
To say that students were excited about the prospect of receiving an iPad would be a gross understatement. 7th graders did their best not to release an joyous scream upon entering the classroom. It was refreshing to witness such a collective sense of genuine enthusiasm. I know full well that a single device is not a magical cure all. One of the reasons why iPads were handed out last week was to extend the amount of time administrators and teachers could reflect on the changing dynamic. Time was needed to exchange ideas about what it means to instruct in a 1:1 environment where equity in access and connectivity exists between teachers and students.
The level of excitement was an observation that resonated more than anything from the roll-out. I really did not have the chance to ask students why they were so excited. However, I believe there was a connection between two distinct worlds. The roll-out of iPads served as a bridge between the personal and academic arenas. I was in charge of leading several classes through the set-up process. I say in charge, but in many instances students were assisting one another and volunteering information about use of the device or specific apps. Students were eager to share their experience and knowledge with peers and adults.
Even though we are in the infancy of the 1:1 iPad program, the initial stage started to fuse two worlds together and fostered a genuine level of interest that we can hopefully continue to build on.
To say that students were excited about the prospect of receiving an iPad would be a gross understatement. 7th graders did their best not to release an joyous scream upon entering the classroom. It was refreshing to witness such a collective sense of genuine enthusiasm. I know full well that a single device is not a magical cure all. One of the reasons why iPads were handed out last week was to extend the amount of time administrators and teachers could reflect on the changing dynamic. Time was needed to exchange ideas about what it means to instruct in a 1:1 environment where equity in access and connectivity exists between teachers and students.
The level of excitement was an observation that resonated more than anything from the roll-out. I really did not have the chance to ask students why they were so excited. However, I believe there was a connection between two distinct worlds. The roll-out of iPads served as a bridge between the personal and academic arenas. I was in charge of leading several classes through the set-up process. I say in charge, but in many instances students were assisting one another and volunteering information about use of the device or specific apps. Students were eager to share their experience and knowledge with peers and adults.
Even though we are in the infancy of the 1:1 iPad program, the initial stage started to fuse two worlds together and fostered a genuine level of interest that we can hopefully continue to build on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)