It's not about the Tools, it's about the Skills
Jan
17
Written by:
1/17/2010 1:00 AM
Cross posted on the Langwitches Blog.
Many times, I see eyes glazing over, when I excitedly speak with
parents or administrators about blogging, using wikis, skyping or podcasting with
students. Many of them, unfamiliar with the tools, will immediately
feel uncomfortable. Some will automatically and immediately steer the
conversation back to what they know:
What about learning the basics, like reading, writing, math and science?
I usually try to explain and emphasize, that these skills are
precisely what are being taught. We are not podcasting in order to
teach Audacity nor Garageband. We are not recording students for the
fun of using microphone, we are not blogging, so we can practice
typing, we are not skyping for the purpose of using a webcam.
Parents and administrators, unfamiliar with the tools, also seem
worried that “important” academic time is being lost and wasted!
In an attempt to explain that there is so much more involved when using technology tools, I blogged a few months ago, We Podcasted Today So, did you learn anything?
It is important that we explain to parents and administrators that
we are using the tools to practice the above mentioned basic literacy
skills, engage and motivate students, but also address, integrate and
embed so many more skills and literacies.
Take a look at the visuals below:
- Podcasting Skill
- Video Conferencing Skills
- Blogging Skills
- Wiki Skills
What are some other technology tools you are using in the classroom?
What are the skills and literacies that you are addressing? How can we
educate parents and administrators that blogging, wiki-ing, podcasting and
skyping, etc. are simply a vehicle to preparing students for many
skills and literaciers, including the 3Rs they are accustomed to and
familiar with.
Blogging Skills
Podcasting Skills
Wiki Skills
Video Conferencing Skills
6 comment(s) so far...
It's not about the Tools, it's about the Skills
I very much enjoyed your post....and especially enjoyed the images.
Any chance of providing them as posters?? or even more options??
Would love to have them hanging in my classrooms.....
J
By Jen on
1/18/2010 11:09 PM
|
It's not about the Tools, it's about the Skills
Jen,
The images are available under Creative Commons License and in higher resolution for your to download on FLickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/langwitches/sets/72157605083562304/
Let me know if you feel strongly to have more options added to the visuals or would like to suggest more tools.
By Silvia Tolisano on
1/19/2010 8:11 AM
|
It's not about the Tools, it's about the Skills
Silvia,
Your blog is right on. The pictures are fantastic! I have already been to Flickr to enjoy your photos. You have a lot of great information to offer! Thanks for sharing:)
Krista
By Krista on
1/20/2010 5:28 AM
|
It's not about the Tools, it's about the Skills
How's about we take a slightly different tack:
Disital Technologies for Supporting Academic Success, or
Digital Technologies Supporting Job Creation, or maybe
Using Digital Technologies fior Supporting Economic Recovery.
The more pragmatic and applied, the better.
BobBl
By Bob Blomeyer on
1/19/2010 8:25 AM
|
It's not about the Tools, it's about the Skills
I would like to purchase posters of the images on this page. Is that possible? If so, how?
By mwillis on
1/29/2010 3:25 AM
|
It's not about the Tools, it's about the Skills
Great post, Silvia. It seems butting heads is part of the job description at times, doesn't it? I'm heading to flickr now...I think I may put together a flipchart for our interactive whiteboard for use at a staff meeting and/or school improvement meeting.
By Jeanne on
1/30/2010 11:42 AM
|