From the President
The "So What" of Technology in Learning
BY SUSAN HARDIN
In his blog, 2¢ Worth, David Warlick responded to a series of conversations he overheard this summer. He listened as technology leaders from across the country boasted about meeting 21st century learning skills through their new 1:1 initiative, “putting (x technology tool) into the hands of every student in the building”. In his post titled, Technology for 21st Century Learning: Part 1, David responds with a self-described “rant”: “21st century learning has nothing to do with iPads, iPod Touches, or any piece of technology. Te only
thing....that we should be concerned with is equitable access to rigorous, relevant, and irresistible learning experiences that reflect and harness the times, environment, and ultimate goals of the
learning....The experience defines the tools, not the other way around. Any statement about handing out iPads (or netbooks or laptops) should begin with the word “So…”
This issue of the MACUL Journal takes an in-depth look at the “So....what” part of 21st century learning. As you delve into the issue, you’ll discover that a Project Based Learning (PBL) curriculum supported with the right technology can lead to the rigorous, relevant and engaging learning experiences Warlick outlines above.
A Project Based Learning curriculum engages students in authentic learning activities. It relies on student-led inquiry to solve complex problems. It encourages students to choose the learning path that most interests them and best meets their learning preferences. When combined with the right technology, it promotes the essential skills that today’s students will need as they enter the 21st century workforce; effective decision making, collaboration, communication & critical thinking.
In fact, according to Dr. Brigid Barron and Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond at Stanford University, active participation in learning, such as that inherent to PBL, has a more significant impact on student achievement that any other variable. As educational leaders, we must be certain that our technology initiatives are well planned, research-based learning initiatives.
“So What” continued on page 34 Winter 2010/11
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BY RIC WILTSE
36 Years of Supporting Educators
As we near the end of 2010, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on MACUL’s 36 year history. Thinking about where we’ve been as an organization, where we are now and where we are headed, I’m amazed at what has changed since MACUL
was chartered in 1975 and what has remained the same.
WHAT HAS CHANGED: • 9 Special Interest Groups led by our SIG Liaison
• Permanent office located in Lansing • 4 full time staff and several project contractors
• An annual conference not focused on a specific computer platform or applications, but on how technology can be used across the curriculum
• Additional smaller conferences in addition to the annual March event
• Strategic alliances with many Michigan educa- tional organizations
• Member benefits
• Quarterly, full color Journal, in print and online
• Website and MACUL Space, a community of nearly 3,000 educators worldwide available at no charge
• Grants to members for innovative technology projects
WHAT HAS NOT CHANGED:
• Membership of dedicated educators who want to improve how they teach with technology to benefit student academic achievement
• Dedicated Board of Directors who are actively involved with many aspects of the organization
• An organization that looks ahead at the trends in education and professional development and sets a direction that best supports its members
In next month’s column, I’ll look back at MACUL’s first annual conference held in March 1977 and compare it to the 35th Annual Conference to be held in Detroit on March 16-18. If you were one of the 189 attendees at the first conference, please send me an email with your favorite memories of that historic event and I’ll include your com- ments in my Conference Issue column.
7
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36