tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22360724.post114659512919309275..comments2023-11-03T05:09:28.419-05:00Comments on Technopaideia: The Digital Division; or, do you really know how wide is the divide?Craig A. Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18160288758906798678noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22360724.post-1163994676041376082006-11-19T21:51:00.000-06:002006-11-19T21:51:00.000-06:00I teach in a magnet program and have a classroom w...I teach in a magnet program and have a classroom with 25 workstations plus my stuff. I have run Moodle for a bit over four years in the classroom and teach a curriculum that includes Science and Society mixed with information architecture lessons and content creation. The educators still insist on calling it HTML. Yes, I have all the bells and whistles.<BR/><BR/>That said, I have a terrible time even communicating my vision of one hundred dollar thin clients and web services for all students to administrators. They think computers are huge honking things that cost two thousand dollars just to light up and that a school of twenty-five hundred students can run with a handful of labs.<BR/><BR/>When you speak of the value of computers, it should be in a real context of efficiency. The discussion about whether children can score perfectly on the SAT and not have a computer is irrelevant. Just engaging in the discussion is like having an argument with a creationist. Remember, computers are just tools. On the other hand, the network is almost alive and keeping children away from it may turn out to be a *very* bad idea.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05874420997475288571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22360724.post-1146608115163660502006-05-02T17:15:00.000-05:002006-05-02T17:15:00.000-05:00For the most part, I agree with your posting. I h...For the most part, I agree with your posting. I have a degree in Elementary Education and am working on getting my master's degree in Educational Technology. I am in my 3rd year in CPS and feel I was a strong classroom teacher and think I am currently a strong technology coordinator. I want to be a "talented, energetic, and visionary teacher" and not be one of "the most stressed out and unhappy...work(ing) in the most depressing, under-resourced situation." My school has a vast amount of technology compared to the CPS schools described here but still pales in comparison to the Suburban school this blog describes. There is also very little "optimism, cheerfulness, expectation, readiness, and...professional fulfillment" in my school from the teachers. I feel there is even less from the students and their parents. These things make my job that much less fulfilling. Also, those who are competent at my school receive extra responsibilities without compensation (like being a disciplinarian) and those who are average or below average are just allowed to be average makes my school less attractive. For these reasons, I have been looking strongly at relocating to a school that my abilities and knowledge will really make a difference.Daniel Bartelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01414127899435438241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22360724.post-1146607617309337482006-05-02T17:06:00.001-05:002006-05-02T17:06:00.001-05:00"To accept the things I cannot change and the wisd..."To accept the things I cannot change and the wisdom to know the difference." The "Veteran Teachers" may be depressed because we remember better days. The times before schools became political footballs, when principals respected teachers and students. The attitudes of suburban principals and the fact that money resources are available, go a long way toward making a happy working environment. I find that the priorities of CPS administrators is always at odds with those of teachers. Administrators are quick to talk teamwork but they never do any of the team work. So unless the administrator has a vision for technology in a school we will always be the poor relations.Ms. Fortierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11466434704630227800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22360724.post-1146607566400826802006-05-02T17:06:00.000-05:002006-05-02T17:06:00.000-05:00I've worked in both CPS and suburban schools. A f...I've worked in both CPS and suburban schools. A factor that needs to be noted is the importance of leadership. If school leaders do not believe and stand behind the importance of technology integration, integration will not make great strides regardless of technology monies. The reverse is also true. Since leaders aren't required to become technology literate, many take the stance that technology must not be that important. And with federal educational technology funding being cut by Bush, these same leaders have an excuse not to instill technology integration in their school.bpiephohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17969655639278466088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22360724.post-1146607247367632482006-05-02T17:00:00.000-05:002006-05-02T17:00:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Daniel Bartelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01414127899435438241noreply@blogger.com