Article reflection 1

Edu 568 – Article reflection No. 1

1] “Selling the Dream of 1:1 computing – A Leadership Primer” by Gary S. Stager

This article offers justification of selling the idea and importance of computer technology and purchasing of hardware and software necessary in the classroom to administrators, school board members, parents, etc..

I found the article overall to be useful to individuals in situations where the need for technology in their classrooms although I think the article was geared towards administrators. I will probably review this article if I find myself having to advocate for technology in my classroom.

Examples

Don't say.

Computing is expensive.

Say.

Our costs should go down with the elimination of maintenance and IT personnel as these responsibilities are shifted to each student, and in the case of repairs, the vendor.
We have spent too much money creating computer labs where too few students have too little access to the resources they need. Our failure to inspire teachers to use computers across the curriculum is a result of such scarcity.
Excellent low-cost insurance and warranties exist for student laptops.
The purchase of laptops represents an investment in much needed research and development.


I particularly liked the next section where it suggested answers to common questions or objections, as in the following.

They say -

It’s just a tool.
You answer -
The personal computer has revolutionized every other aspect of society and one expects that the same should be true for education now that laptops are more affordable, durable and portable


I had to note that I did agree with the following question

What about handwriting?

and disagreed with some of the alternative responses. Its been my experience that many students lack basic hand writing skills, spelling and writing structure skills. I personally feel that writing skills should still be an important part of a student's curriculum

Young children will still be taught to write by hand since they desire to do so, but a much lower emphasis will be placed upon penmanship and a greater emphasis on expressing oneself via the keyboard. Research suggests that the keyboard is actually more compatible with young motor skill development than handwriting.
This shift will have the benefit of creating fewer learning disabilities among students who confuse “writing” (penmanship) with “real writing” (the ability to express one’s self). The district will save large sums of money by not purchasing handwriting curricula materials.
Calligraphy will be addressed in art classes rather than as an obstacle to the writing process.


2] “A Case for Technology and Assessment for Band and Orchestra” by John Paulson from School Band and Orchestra Magazine, April 2006

Upon reviewing this article, I was immediately struck by the following quote, “many music education majors won't even hear about before leaving college – and certainly don't sign up for when taking their first teaching job. Teaching is as much about politics as it is about passing on the love of making music.” - Pg 20.

This of course caused me to reflect on my memories of my own political battles and to conversations with other music teachers about their political battles.

The author then overviews the attitude that No Child Left Behind is not conducive to support of arts programs is not correct. “In fact, in a 2004 letter to the nations superintendents, then U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Page wrote: “The truth is that NCLB included the arts as a core academic subject because of their importance to a child's education.” Furthermore “ What's more, one section of the law is designed to “support systemic education reform by strengthening arts education as an integral part of the elementary and secondary school curriculum.” - Pg. 21

The author then goes on to describe that with support at the federal level, the pressure to defend music programs politically moves to individual state and then to individual communities, administrators, and parents. Technology provides the answer for proof of student assessment that is measurable and easily documented with the use of new and powerful music software programs. The article further describes the importance of students and teachers to have access to individual computers and licenses for the needed software to support these assessments. One music program “Finale” is over viewed with examples of programs and use by students.

The author wraps up the article by offering ideas for finding the funding needed to support the needed technology through school budgets, grants and approaching local businesses.

I found the article to be very informative and supportive of my idea to incorporate the Finale program into an advanced music theory and/or composition class, but also gave many ideas about developing assessments that were appropriate for Dirigo's music program.