We are living in a world which encourages a culture of proprietary software. Most of us have always used only proprietary software on our computers. Our children are being taught to use it, too, but they are partially or completely unaware of free software and the benefits it provides.
Educating students signifies a major revenue source for some of the proprietary software vendors. In addition, it is a huge opportunity for these vendors to acquaint future adults with their product and keep their dominance forever. They spend huge amounts of money on marketing to acquire the support of educational departments. As an open source enthusiast, I believe proprietary software is incompatible with education because users are just inert consumers and are legally restricted from examining its source code. Education using computers should be free. It should not be an opportunity for corporations to ensure their software monopoly.
Ben Johnson served as an administrator in large and small schools, and at a charter school. He was the assistant superintendent of the Natalia Independent School District where he helped bring about major improvements in student learning.
“If I had thirty iPads in my class, what would I do with them? How would I use them to help my students learn better and help me teach better? Perhaps a better question is what would I do with them that I could not do with other tools that are available and cheaper? Certainly iPads are cheaper than computers, desktop or laptop, and they are more mobile.
Speaking of computers, they were supposed to be the transformation of teaching and learning as we know it. In some ways there has been a transformation, but the basics of teaching and learning have remained unchanged. Perhaps, the iPad will be the tool that really does transform classroom practice. With that, I’d like to share some of the unique features of the iPad and apps, some free, to take advantage of and explore.”
Edutopia has this wonderful series of professional development going on for teachers. it is all online at their site and is rich with content and ideas. This one is about using Voicethread and I challenge you to check it out.
“Curriculum specialist and language-arts teacher Megan Palevich offers a tutorial in a blog post for educators on using the multimedia tool VoiceThread to enhance student lessons. Palevich shares an example in which she used the program to engage students in discussions and reflections related to the study of a novel, offering a way to differentiate instruction while promoting critical thinking.”
Check out all the details: Edutopia.org/Lisa M. Dabbs’ blog
“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.”
- Japanese proverb
Win an iPad2 for your Classroom!
We’re pulling out all the stops for Teacher Appreciation Week! One lucky winner will receive an iPad2 for classroom use (a $499 value). Enter by Sunday, May 15th for a chance to win!
This is a powerful article, Lucas says “If students aren’t taught the language of sound and images, shouldn’t they be considered as illiterate as if they left college without being able to read or write?” If if that statement isn’t compelling, I am not sure what it. This article is a must read for sure.
“Just as Lucas once envisioned new intergalactic worlds, today he envisions a new world of learning. He grew up one-hundred miles inland from these coastal hills in the searing heat of Modesto, California, tinkering with cars and helping out at his dad’s stationery store. He was, he recalls, “an average student who daydreamed a lot.” It is perhaps those early memories of unfocused ambition that have infused him with a desire to promote a new way of learning that prepares students to succeed in a highly wired and visual world.”
- What do students need to be learning that they’re not?
- What would you change?
- How do we bring these lessons into the classroom?
- What’s at stake if this understanding doesn’t make its way into the classroom?
- Some might say you’re being too idealistic, that the schools don’t have enough money for pencils. Shouldn’t we focus on that first?
- Where did your passion for education come from? What kind of student were you growing up?
- Do you think the education field will get your message?
CLICK HERE to read the full story
