May+5+,+2010

We're inviting a group of students to talk about communication (iCal, websites, email) from a student perspective. We are planning on asking some juniors and seniors from Cindy's AP English class. We are looking for some other students- if you have other names, please email Bill.


 * From Cindy:**

I will extend the invitation to them. All of the kids who worked on this topic gained new insights and would likely be happy to share their thoughts.


 * From Sue K:**

Paige K and Sam M, both sophomores very comfortable with computers, are willing to talk to the Tech PLC. I am working on two others who are NOT "computer geeks", as I think you need to hear from all spectrums. They should be getting back to me Tuesday or Wednesday.

From Jamie G:  Technology PLC May 5, 2010

Student presenters – about technology Harry Podolsky, Zac Winkelhoffer, Angelica Pendleton, Meara Cafferata, Miranda Dodge(?)

iCal
 * Students are subscribing to multiple iCal calendars – if something just gets added on last-minute, students may find it hard to follow all the icons –
 * Teachers need to provide info about homework in two forms – iCal plus in-class reminders
 * iCal still fairly new – but many students still used to having a physical syllabus or having teachers tell about assignment…hasn’t replaced planners
 * For students it’s nice to be able to go on and see what’s due in the next days or weeks to plan ahead (to help know assignments for missed classes - vacation)
 * Attachments don’t always come through for some students – many teachers also have a wikispace to download from
 * All teachers should have iCal for consistency

wikispaces
 * Teachers have had iCal shutdown with too many attachments.
 * Prioritizing iCal over wikis – is it too much to ask them to check both places? I like wikispace – students know all homework is on the laptop, can re-download an assignment if necessary
 * One student cross lists assignments listed in wikispace with physical planner

dropboxes Teacher dropboxes didn’t work reliably

Google docs
 * the best thing. If teacher has a gmail account, they can grade it right on email. Some teachers have gone almost completely paperless – esp for rough drafts, implementing reflection directly into polished draft
 * Easier than trying to arrange group times to work on group project
 * Google docs on any computer, so you aren’t restricted if you don’t have access to your own computer.

Student communications
 * Email addresses sometimes being left unchecked
 * Facebook would be easiest but not best – email is still preferable.
 * Students claim they should be held responsible for checking email if it is important enough

Use of technology in classrooms
 * For notetaking
 * Has changed assessments in chorus (Garage Band)
 * Lots in biology
 * Copy homework onto sticky notes in desktop. Easier to lose individual pieces than lose laptop – this helps compensate for lack of iCal accounts

Technology highlights
 * Introduce to new software graphing programs
 * Good for students who only have a single computer at home and need to share its use with other family members.

Concerns about technology
 * How much we’re gearing completely toward technology over other skills
 * Encourages anti-social activity – not getting together in person
 * Handwriting a good skill to continue to develop – don’t move away from it altogether.
 * There should always be a backup for students who don’t have an internet connection at home – shouldn’t be a penalty for not checking iCal
 * Students are OFTEN using technology for non-classroom applications (80% of time)? Students will check email, multitasking, but maybe also be paying attention. It’s a hard temptation to fight. Kids are really good at finding unblocked games. If students get offended, it’s probably because they weren’t doing what they were supposed to do. Command-H, Apple-Tab. Kids reorient with screen visible to teacher at all times (like in studyhall)
 * Microsoft Word would be nice but people getting used to Pages…sometimes problems opening up Word attachments in Pages
 * Do laptops affect sleep? These students had laptops already – the responsibility belongs to the individual.
 * Some departments (English) seem slower to catch on – others are doing it more consistently.