4. Edutopia

Harrison Central High School

It is fitting that this video appears on the Edutopia website because it really is as close as public education gets to perfect in regards to technology integration. I think that many of these technologies are being used in schools across the country but not on a school-wide scale like at HCHS. The piece that I found particularly interesting was the cheer squad monitoring their vitals to improve physical conditioning and then relaying that information on to math classes for interpretation. This has many implications in the area of physical education and health, which is exciting for me.

Mary Scroggs Elementary School

This school is amazing in the way that it is wired and the opportunities it gives students who are lucky enough to attend. In watching this video, I immediately recalled an article I read a few hours ago that referred to children as digital natives and us, as adults, as digital immigrants. The teachers and administrators at this school set a great example of ways to do new things in new ways. Of course, it helps that they have all of this technology at their fingertips on a daily basis.

A Product of Learning

The beginning of this video piqued my interest. The middle school featured mirrors the school in which I work: very diverse ethnically and socioeconomically. The work that these students were turning out just proves that any student can learn and be exemplary if surrounded by the right resources and caring adults. This video highlights what the majority of teachers already know, "Give me the resources and work conditions and any student can learn."

Leading with Laptops

This video highlighted a middle school in Maine in which each student has a laptop computer. The quote that really resonated with me was when a teacher was speaking about the challenge of ensuring that these laptops were "more than just a $2000 pencil." The video then goes on to show how this school is accomplishing just that, especially in the areas of science. They are finding new ways to do new things. I think idea also addresses the concern of people outside of the schools that these schools spend a lot of money to purchase all of this new technology and nothing is ever done with it. This school has incredible proof that this is not the case...

Home Visits

I chose this video because I do many home visits in my own job at the school. I can relate to what these parents were saying. I think that it is an amazing idea to invite teachers to do home visits. What better ways is there to prove that you care about your students than to visit their home? I truly believe that engaging students in learning is a result of successful personal relationships between teachers and students. This is only one way of accomplishing this goal. This is great. I had no idea this kind of information was out there.

Starting Over

Again, I chose this video because it is relevant to what I experience in my current job with the schools. It discusses a new plan in Oakland schools to change the face of education. New principals attend a new training that focuses on new and innovative strategies for accomplishing the same goal: educating every student regardless of background. I think this is great but I'd be interested to see some numbers a few years from now to assess the effectiveness of these new principals. Very interesting...

Las Vegas: Cowan Sunset High School

I chose to watch this video because it concerns another topic that really interests me: alternative school settings. This particular school begins at 2:00pm to cater to students from all walks of life. Some work morning construction jobs and others work nights at casinos. I think this idea is somewhat like intergrating new technology into our classrooms. We have to find new ways to do new things. The student we serve today is not the same student we served 100 years ago. Alternative school settings are really gaining popularity and credibility and should be respected as such.