Technologically Literate

In February of this year, I was moved to action by a visit to Pennsylvania’s Ed Tech Conference dubbed PETE&C.  Meeting and talking to people like Jim Gates spurred me to start blogging.  It was there that I saw a tremendous opportunity to bring online/open source tools to the students and teachers of DuBois.  Without PETE&C I am positive that I would not have the energy or passion to finish my masters or to continue helping other teachers.  Thank you administration and Title 1 funds.

Well, in typical Pruitt fashion (I am notoriously impatient when I get rolling)I have already submitted a proposal for 08′.  I am prosing a 3 hour “pre-conference” session on DV in the classroom and with 8 scant months to prepare I am already going overboard.

“So what?” you may say.  “So, I am already nervous!” I would reply.  I am writing this to reflect on some of my ideas and to hopefully hear what others would want out of 3 straight hours with me.  After all, that’s what the social networking is all about, right?

The only draw back is, if your here, you probably have a good idea about editing and posting video. So, put yourself in one of your teachers shoes.  One that is interested in DV, but not sure how to go about starting. 

My thoughts are, as a teacher and tech coach, I want to first do a good job of connecting the use of DV to rich, authentic learning.  With the proper amount of time, student produced video projects have to power to delve deep into the high-order thinking skills that are so prized today.  I will discuss project-based learning, group dynamic, and self-directed learning all in the context of Mr. Bloom and Mr. Gardner.

The meat will be reserved for three (so far…I am open to suggestions) methods of creation and online posting of videos.  As a PC based school, I plan on covering Windows Movie Maker/PhotoStory, SplashCast, and Jumpcut.  I figure that is a good cross-section. 

Finally, I will cover uploads and embeds using TeacherTube, hopefully finishing with time to work on a short version of the Internet Safety Video unit that I use with my 7th graders. 

Wheww! I feel better already.

I have personally witnessed the power of posting a students work online.  My second period was blown away by one student video being viewed 7000 times in a month.  It changed the way they approach projects in my room and that’s what I hope to share. 

If you have any input or reference material I would love to hear/read it.  Remember…I only have 8 months left…Wow, I’m a wreck             

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 7^th 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

  It looks like the time has come to meet the boy that has already changed my focus on so many things.  Like I said before, waiting bites, but it’s the waiting that has allowed my wife and I to explore our lives in relation to his.  We have discussed religion, politics, education, and of course love.  Late last-night we came to a conclusion that all of these things have common threads.  We figured, after the need for power, the strongest thread is that when you involve human beings in any of them you often end up with more problems than solutions.

Take your pick on religion and politics, but I am continually taken back by problems public education creates for itself.  I am realitivly new to education and I cannot count how many times we have killed an idea because it didn’t work previously.  I also, cannot begin to tell you how many knee jerk reactions I have witnessed when the “newest” idea or education savior comes rolling into town.   

Let’s face it, we are all different.  Our communities and school all require specialized attention that only we can give.  So why do we keep mucking it up with the past?  If you read or listen at all, you know that education will shift and that we will all be okay.  The only thing left is us and the transition.  Only we have the power to dictate how that shift will occur.  Will it be a long and drawn out fight with hurt feelings and lost jobs or will it be a community effort where some professional (or ego) sacrifices are made for the good of the student?

Not to long ago, Jim Gates made a simple yet powerful statement.  I was venting some professional frustration to him and what he said gave me an “ah-ha” moment like I haven’t had in sometime.  He said, “Eventually you have to ask (teachers/administrators) is this as far as we are going to go?”  Is this it?  Are you at the peak of your professional practice?  Can we honestly say we are reaching out to our students and they are making the connections that will help them be successful?  Or, are we telling ourselves that this generation is lazy and stupid and there is no hope for them. 

Do you think the kids say the same about us?             

“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?