Any Good Science Needs an Experiment

Another update from the good folks at Promethean.  They are now working with schools in the UK

The blog post can be found by clicking here.

The 8 week training/trial will take a special look at the changes in teaching and learning behavior.

Good luck guys, hopefully the kids across the pond will be as enthralled as I was when I first saw this phenomenal teaching tool.

The Virtual Field Trip or the Death of the Permission Slip?

"Follow me kids to a place where you wouldn't get beat up for dressing like this"

Wasn't this the vision of the Internet about 10 years ago?  Kids seeing distant places from the comfort and cost effectiveness of their classrooms?  Well hey it's here and what do you know it is actually working.  Check out this article about the schools in Niagara, NY and their distance learning experience.  Imagine following a revolutionary war soldier into battle and seeing through his eyes in real time at the real scenery.  Technology in the classroom is all about improving the level of engagement and until we invent time machines that work without leaving people stuck in alternate dimensions this will have to be the alternative.

A door closes as one opens

I talked about the Promethean Activboards in the past and how much I like the way they engage children in the classroom.  Well it seems Promethean isn't alone in the journey to alter the classroom.  Well June brings the end to most public school terms and this is when schools start to figure out budgets and the purchases of new equipment.  This is where the world of ICT plays a huge part.  Not only is there a great space for improvement when it comes to education technology, but everyone involved can actually feel good about what they are doing.  SMART Technologies is the producer of interactive whiteboards much like the ones brought to schools by Promethean.  Since competition breeds innovation I'm happy to report on this brand and their efforts.

Here is there classroom remote Senteo, that allows students to respond and vote from their seats and see the results.

Here is the SMARTboard in action

Pencils, Paper and touch screens

PC World ran an article this week about the increase in technology used in the classroom.  Technology in the education system is one of the more interesting aspects of my profession.  Whether it be Promethean interactive whiteboards, projectors, shared monitors, or laptop programs, the education system seems willing to take on new ideas.  

Youngsters are attracted to technology as much as anyone.  They practically drive the cell phone market in the states.  It should be the duty of teachers, principals and super intendents to investigate these advances thoroughly and educate themselves on how to effectively use them as tools to engage students more deeply.

Just a quick thought.

Gaming and Education

Let's take a moment to review this idea simply.  Can Master Chief help kids learn about the solar system?  Can Mario teach kids about math?  What can children learn from a the same industry that brought us Grand Theft Auto?  Okay maybe that's too simple.

"I've found that the battle rifle has proven effective as a discipline tool"

This week the Florida Education Technology Conference highlighted video games used as education tools.  As a strong proponent of brining technology to the classroom I'm on the fence on this issue.  I would rather explore the use of laptops and interactive whiteboards in the classroom.  I'm sure kids would love to play games in school, hell I like to play them at work.  However, just because the bridge is there doesn't mean we should cross the connection.  Afterall kids already have a connection to gaming and associate it with fun and liesure...which have no place in the classroom.

-DeanHendo