Journal+Reflection+Module+1

Post a **//response to this prompt//** in your Wiki Journal OR //**reflect on your week as a technology user**// in the classroom OR //**describe a technology experience you had this week**// (use the reflection guide--//Description, Impact, Intent.// **//Reflection Prompt://** How has your knowledge of technology standards changed after this module? Reflect on your own use of technology standards in your classroom and personal use.

__ **New Standards - Can Our Schools Meet Them?** __ Well, as a big advocate for the use of technology in the classroom, my intervention specialist and I took on the task of introducing a writing assignment to our 7th graders. They were required to compose a story using a word processor at school. In our school, we have 2 desktop computer labs with about 16-26 computers and then two desktop computer labs in our library with about 25-30 computers. We also have two laptop carts and one laptop cart that is specifically for special education teachers and classes. Each classroom also has four student computers that are available for use. You would think that with this many labs and carts, we'd be able to schedule some time with the computers. Wrong! Every piece and room of technology were already booked! We were forced to "farm our kids out", basically meaning that we had to send them all up and down our hallway to use a computer in another teacher's classroom. This is a huge "technology inconvenience" for my coteacher and I because we cannot be in six different rooms at one time to help all of our students. We try to keep the kids we know will struggle the most in the rooms closest to ours, but sometimes, it just doesn't work out. We tried to fix the situation by using the "oldest" of the laptop carts. Unfortunately, these laptops take longer to log into our intranet than it takes mold to grow. So basically, we advise our students NOT to use the laptops and instead told them to go find an open computer in our hallway. Another problem that we ran into was that most of our kids haven't had the proper lessons in technology. In our districts, students do not receive any type of typing or computer class until 7th grade. In my opinion, this is way too late to start teaching kids the correct keys to place your fingers on, especially since I'm sure they've already developed the "one-finger" typing habits that are so easy to acquire. Most of the kids cannot even change the margins or line spacing in a word document. This in itself frustrates them and places more stress on the assignment, which was not my intention! So here is the tie into technology. The big topic of discussion at our school this week is the implementation of the new Core Standards coming in 2014. We are all focused on what is being added and what is being dropped from our teaching routines. However, the biggest focus, according to the members on our school's Standards Committee, is the more frequent use of technology in the classroom, mainly focusing on technology and testing. Prior to this year, it was rumored that all students would have to take the Ohio Achievement Assessment via computer. We laughed and joked that this wouldn't happen! Well, it's happening! There are many different issues with having students take major state tests on computers. The first one is availability of technology. The district I teach in is very fortunate to have a wide variety of technology available to students. However, within our middle school's walls, we have over 1,200 students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade combined and we still don't even have enough computers for a single class to be working on them in the same room. What about the districts with less money and fewer computers? How can it be expected of a school district to make standardized testing a technology-based test? Another issue with this computer testing is the lack of computer skills kids have. What they have acquired on their own is not enough to get them through a state-mandated test. If the test is timed, which all state tests are, what will happen to the kids who are slow typers? Will they be penalized for not finishing? What kinds of questions will be on the test? Will the test stick strictly to multiple choice or will they incorporate short answer as well? There are so many questions that come to mind when even thinking about putting standardized tests onto computers. Will students who have individualized education plans have their needs met and be allowed to have the test read aloud to them? Will the test offer an auditory version to meet those needs? What about the students who cannot read off of a computer screen due to vision impairments? What will happen when there is a technical malfunction and the internet goes down? (Yes, this happens way too often). Will the students have to start completely over? With every new process, there are sure to be questions. However, I don't know if at this point, the state can truthfully mandate that all OAA tests be computerized because of the large amount of questions the subject poses. Another small piece of information I gathered after talking to our technology man was that in about a year, our students will be on the B.Y.O.D. plan, BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE. Our district went wireless over the summer and we have the inside scoop that this wireless is so that the computers in classrooms can be taken out and students will be required to have their own piece of technological equipment. Well this is great for the students who have access to their own laptops, iPads, tablets, etc. What about the students who do not? What will we do with them? Treat them like they are in the dark ages and hand them pencil and paper versions of the assignments? This is an unfair situation, which is turn punishes the students who cannot bring in their own device because they lose out on the technological experience of the assignment. Overall, this week, needless to say has been somewhat of a stressful situation because of the new standards. As much as I am a supporter of technology in the classroom, I think that more guidelines and troubleshooting tips need to be developed before the state can make standardized computer testing the norm.