I decided to give this a try. Here is a quick and dirty Audacity tutorial. I actually use this to help my students learn the program to produce podcasts. The nice part…Since it is open source the kids go home, grab a mic, and continue. There are not too many pieces of software you can send home with the students.
Download: Posted by kpruitt at TeacherTube.com.
I have been away for awhile. The more I thought about blogging the less I felt I had to say. I like the simplicity of the Tips blog I keep for the district, but in that blog I kinda stepped into it deep.
While I was on paternity leave I posted the Scott Mcleod rant about Margaret Spellings and her, let’s say, less than thorough exploration of how the government should position itself on technology in the classroom. I applaud Scott because according to his new post Ms. Spellings would like to hear from the rest of us. Since I re-posted and since I am genuinely hoping this is not just an appeasement tactic, I feel the need to offer my two cents. (Not associated with David Warlick or his two cents blog) 
Here is my email, tell me what you think, and then send your own:
Secretary Spellings:
I teach 7th grade communications at DuBois Area Middle School in DuBois, PA. I have three years of classroom experience and I am actively working on my master’s degree in technology integration. Technology has improved our schools and classrooms immeasurably. The consistent and concise flow of information has allowed both administration and staff to have what is necessary to make decisions about individual educational needs. Paper costs have gone down due to the use of an electronic database and student engagement is on the rise due to learning occurring in context.
In my opinion, as an educator and technology coach, the integration of technology has dramatically increased my efficiency and effectiveness. An access to current data through professional networking along with online organizational tools has provided me with the most precious gift in education, time. I use that extra time to develop engaging material and to connect with 120 students on a personal level.
Technology on its own does not have the power to prepare our students for the future or come close to meeting the 100% proficiency goals set by NCLB. However, a knowledgeable educator, with access to the right information, can help build a foundation that will give students the tools they need to be successful in any avenue they may choose. I am not usually in the business of telling the federal government how to operate, but in my opinion, if you want globally competitive students that are meeting the lofty goals set by NCLB then you need to invest in district specific support systems. Do not try to mandate an across the board position, but give the districts the support and resources they desperately need to develop and implement specific plans that benefit their situation.
Thank you for your time and the opportunity to voice my opinion.
Sincerely,
Kenneth B. Pruitt
Educator
“Whatever kind of technological programs educators decide to develop, the primary consideration should be the purpose of using the technology.” -Gary Burnett 1994
As I work my way through a graduate degree, I get the opportunity to page through some interesting research on the value of educational technology. Being the great procrastenator that I am, I sometimes spend time perusing older publications that technically, shouldn’t apply to my fancy on-line degree. After all, this is the 21st century and technology has changed the way we live and work. Information and social interaction are just a click away. Schools have technology standards the must adhere to. We have come along way in 13 years right?
In 1994 Gary Burnett was studying how technology could improve urban schools. Burnett was aware that the landscape was changing and that all of the research of the day pointed to the importance of technology skills. He did not dispute the facts, however; he saw the need for some forethought. See if this sounds familar.
(Burnett 1994)”The methods and purposes of computer use often differ radically from school to school and from district to district: sometimes computer use enhances learning for all students and sometimes it simply confers a new technological sheen on the low-level programs…In some cases, they are present in the schools but are not being used for any clear purpose at all.”
As we start to leave the 2006-2007 school year behind (state test are done, we’re done, right?), I wonder, how far have we really come in 13 years. Sure the tools are changing, and access to information is changing, but where are we really?
