Talk:Tools That Empower Students





Melissa Pierce, EDT

I am a third grade teacher, so the examples for using these tools to empower students really spoke to me. I teach in a traditional school where we use technology, but it is still not completely integrated. We still use pencil and paper for many tasks that could be shortened if a computer was involved. I thought it was very interesting to think about using a software program that would allow students to create a pie chart on their own before having learned the concept of 360 degrees and how to equally distribute the parts. I think it is cool that students could use that technology to see a pie chart for information. I wonder though, if by skipping some steps, the student will miss out on key elements of learning that will no longer be taught. I also liked the idea of using a search engine in the library. We actually use one at my school. I do however think though, that sometimes students need to learn how to go the extra steps to problem solve. I think that sometimes we use technology to solve all of our problems, without encouraging children to think. I think that a balance of the two will aid in lessoning useless steps in the classroom and also teach children to problem solve and think.

Comment
I teach Kindergarten so I will focus on that during this comment, even though this comment may be broad enough for ohter grades as well. I think that computers are great at empowering students. First, just simply classrooms providing computer access to student's is a wonderful way to empower them. The earlier they are on them, the better because they will definitely use them throughout their education and into their careers. There is hardly a job today that does not have something to do with computers. Computers are great in helping children who are learning to read and wrtie. The only prerequisite is that they can identify the letters on the keyboard. After they can do that, they can really use the computer for so much. They can play games on the computer, email, use a search engine, use word to write sentences. I mean, they really can do anything!the computer is also great at giving feedback to chidlren. That is one thing that is soemtimes hard for a teacher to do in a classroom of 17 children. However, a computer game can give constant and personal feedback to a child that tells them exactly what they are doing wrong or right. Learning to read and write is the greatest empowerment we can give children. Using the computer in that makes it even more powerful. Also, we should never forget how much fun children think the computer is. And we all know that when you make learning meaningful and fun children always learn more and it is the type of knowledge that sitcks with them!I think that in today's world the computer is one of the biggest tolls of empowerment we can bring in the lives of our students'.

Comment
Allison Lee - EDT 630 I would like to focus on the apprenticeship in education. I feel like an apprenticeship is very important and needs to be longer than the 4-5 months required student teaching. I graduated from a teaching program that was 75% work in an elementary classroom and 25% reflecting and reconstructing learning in a college classroom. The professors would give us an assignment to do in the elementary schools, allow us to fail miserably, give us the chance to learn what we did wrong, and then go back and correct our mistakes. We were taught the way we are supposed to teach. We were given the safe environment to make mistakes and then had the opportunity to learn from our mistakes. It was a very involved program, but it produced great teachers. One of the best things about the program was the opportunity to work with a school teacher during the days leading to the first day of school. From then on, we stayed with the teacher through the first day of school till winter break. We were able to see what needed to be done in the summer, before and after school. This type of experience is very authentic and will be remembered. We were better prepared because we knew what to expect and could handle it. This program also gave people first hand experience to see if they really wanted to be a teacher. Unfortunately, many people get into this profession and then end up leaving not realizing the expectations. An apprenticeship would prevent people wasting their time and provide better prepared teachers.