What we need are models of classroom environments that use technologies to empower students and promote self-directed learning.
On of the presenters showed the image below as an example of slapping technology onto the current model of education. Note how the teacher is at the front of the room, still presumed to have all the control and correct answers stashed away behind her desk. Notice the glazed stares, the distracted looks at the laptop screens, and the fact that the students are seated (dormant) while the teacher stands (active).
This photo summarizes my experience at this conference.If the conference hoped to promote teacher-collaboration, why didn't we tackle a problem, make a lesson plan, or create a resource with our fellow conference attendees? Instead we sat awkwardly at lunch tables, attempted "what have you learned so far?" conversations.
If web 2.0 technology makes everyone a publisher, presenter, and photographer, why weren't participants asked to document something from their own classrooms and present them to our colleagues?
If these tools' strength is that they empower the learner, why (as a "student" at this conference) wasn't I asked to move around, say something, present, create, draw, list, summarize, record, write, brainstorm, collaborate, or even draw a doodle? Why didn't the presenters model the usage of new technologies in a classroom setting rather than simply click through their del.icio.us folders hunting for eyecatchers?
I'm sorry to play the naysayer on an event that conference organizers would love to declare a success; I'm sure for many the fusillade of tag-able websites was a thrill. Presenter David Warlick blogged that the conference was full of teachers who were "excited, enthused, attentive, and asking a lot of spot-on questions...and I think that the reason why, is that we’re giving them toys. " Well, those that already had the toys wanted more. I would like to experience a classroom setting where these technologies are implemented so I have a model to strive for. (Alan November does some of this beautifully in his talks by the way). No one wants to send the students back to the same old metal desks with new toys to distract them, but that was (sadly) the take-away message of this conference for me.
3 comments:
Laura, This is an increasingly common complaint about conferences, that they tend to model the educational styles, that they often are trying discourage and replace. It's why my one-hour web 2.0 presentations have morphed into a one hour presentation about Personal Learning Networks, using the tools to connect with other for learning.
More and more conference are holding what's called unconference sessions, where the job of the presenter is to generate conversations, for educators to share problems and solutions, and to paint pictures, like the video you asked about.
The fact of the matters, that as I walk around conference halls, and glance into the rooms, the sessions that simeply show web site after web site, or demonstrate the latest tech toy, are overwhelmingly attended, whereas the ones that are more about the how and the why, are only scarcely attended.
I would say that from the looks of your blog, you have already started wrapping your self with a ubiquitous unconference experience, learning by engaging in conversations.
-- dave --
Your posting was so refreshing to see -- I think it is not only specific to the conference that you attended but to much of what is talked about with pedagogical research in general. In my education classes (time that I am assured will be credited to my allotment of purgatory) the teachers would always talk about Best Practices while reading to us from a book or coming in completely unprepared. If you disagreed with them -- well, to put it simply the inclusiveness ended.
I am often called antitechnology because I believe so strongly that it is misused and misrepresented. There is so much dogma out there -- if you don't believe it then there is something wrong with you. Some teachers are amazed when they go to my website (www.awaytoteach.net) and see exactly how much I use technology -- but I am still wary of it being seen as a "savior" for education. It is a tool -- that is it -- as good or as bad as some other tools. At least that's what I think.
Joe Scotese
Thank you Laura for your valuable insight and feedback. We are new at this conference thing, so we are always looking to improve.
We wanted to bring in speakers such as David Warlick and Will Richardson to give us the big picture. Our intent was for our breakout session speakers to share their classroom models and experiences. We did, however, allow some of our sponsors to provide these breakout sessions as well.
It was also our intent to have attendees participate in our conference blog, flickr photostream, and David's Hitchhikr page. We will look at the NECC site as a model for next year.
We hope that you will continue to give us feedback, as we attempt to provide a positive conference experience for our teachers in Hawai'i. We also hope to bring back Alan November, who helped us with our very first conference.
Mahalo,
Alan Tamayose
Kamehameha Schools
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