I have been in Chicago for a couple of days at a conference. I have been learning about Turnaround Schools. There are several large school districts who talked about implementing the concept of Turnaround schools. This is when schools are low performing for 5 years or more. The districts find that this is the only option. I have heard several scenarios but the most common is when the students stay in the building and the entire staff is changed. There has been good results with students making great strides of academic improvement.
As I listened to the presenters, I couldn't help but think how much technology could make a difference in their education. Not necessarily adding new computers, but by giving new options.
Option One: If teachers are having difficulty reaching the students then online courses would be a good option for these students. It would allow them to learn in a way that is best for them. It will provide a high quality teacher for the subject.
Option Two: Invest in new technology. One good example is the Promethean Board. See this website http://www.prometheanworld.com/index.php . I have never had the privilege of using this with students. I have seen the technology and there is a lot that can be done with it. It allows students to respond to what is going on in the classroom. It allows the teacher to see if the students are understanding the material.
Option Three: Integrate technology in the classroom. Discovery Education http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/ along with Safari Montage http://www.safarimontage.com/ are offering subscriptions for streaming video -on-demand. This is one way to integrate the technology. Students can get an experience they might not normally have without the technology. It is a great tool to have a virtual field trip. It is useful for students who are visual learners. There are so many doors that are opened up to students with the use of streaming video.
What is your opinion? What things would get children excited about learning? Have you used any of these technologies before? What other options would be available for the students to learn in a different environment.
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I have access to Discovery Education and it seems to have a lot to offer. Many teachers do rave about the site and the opportunities it offers.
My son's elementary school has just added Quest Atlantis (QA)to the curriculum. QA is an interactive web quest. QA is designed specifically to involve children by connecting participants with a video game atmosphere while exploring real-world activities that are both educational and socially meaningful. By participating in QA, the goal is that students will become informed, socially-conscious, and compassionate human beings while integrating technology into learning. The storyline of QA familiarizes students with the lost world of Atlantis and then students relate Atlantis to Earth through their interaction and individual perceptions gained through QA. You can find more info at http://atlantis.crlt.indiana.edu/.
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