Group+2

= Group 2 =

TASK 1

After viewing the video, Changing to Learn and Learning to Change, list and explain 2 types of changes (a system one and a local one) you feel need to be addressed by either SMCDSB or the teachers at your school to truly adopt technology as part of their practice.

We believe that the system change that needs to occur is to provide each teacher with their own laptop and each classroom with its own SMART Board. If we are expecting teachers to be "global" than we have to provide the tools and the opportunities for them to stay abreast of the most current resources and technology in order to be able to connect students with the world.

The local change that we should implement is to welcome outside technology that we are currently banning such as You Tube, cell phones, iPods, Blackberry's etc. Some school Boards are much further ahead with this than we are.

Choose one of the articles, read it and discuss it with other group members. Add a comment to this page. Consider the following questions:
We chose the article called "Teaching With Interactive Whiteboards".

Group Members: Jim, Mario, Deb, Joe and Dan Before you start a comment, please indicate what article you have selected. Under the comment, please type the names of your group members. = article 1 = = = = article 2 = = =
 * 1) What resonates with you? We should proceed with technology on a cautionary basis. It is the not the answer to effective teaching, it is putting a tool in the hands of a good teacher that has the potential to be effective. //I agree that good pedagogy needs to be first and foremost.//
 * 2) What do you agree/disagree with? We believe that good teaching is good teaching, regardless of the tool. We also agree with the fact that using technology does not automatically enhance student learning. We also are in agreement with the fact that in some cases there would be no improvements, or even a decrease in student achievement, with the ineffective use of technology (i.e. "all flash, no substance").
 * 3) What surprises you? We are surprised by the fact that as a province, we seem to be very far behind with our implementation of technology. We really should be so much farther ahead.
 * 4) How does the content of the article relate to your school? We are all in different stages as schools with our level of technology as it relates to Smart Boards. We are all in agreement with the fact that you have to be careful where the Smart Boards are placed. It has to be put into the hands of an effective teacher and this is not always the easiest thing to do.
 * 5) //THIS IS MR BEAL SIGNING IN -- I HOPE EVERYONE IS PAYING ATTENTION. STAY ON TASK! AND NO, THE CASH BAR IS NOT YET OPEN.//