In writing Chapter 2 of my final project report, I find that there is a plethora of information available regarding Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Personal Learning Environments (PLE). I was stuck with which direction I wanted to take this conversation, but I have decided to explore the limitations involved with these fantastic tools and the effective utilization by teachers in public school settings. I do not wish to offend anyone by this negativity, but it is a frustration point for me right now and I would like to find a way to overcome some of these obstacles.
The following quote is precisely one reason I am disappointed in public education, at least in my school and district. David Hopkins (2008) states in his article eLearning, where do we go from here?, “When they (students) get to further and higher education they ‘expect’ that they will use a wiki, use a blog or be given a podcast (or be asked to produce their own). So we, the teachers and Learning Technologists, need to be able to offer this so we can match, and even exceed, their expectations.” I am often limited as to what sites I can visit with my students due to firewalls placed by the school district. Also, I’ve been told that I cannot access the school’s wireless Internet from my personal computer. This frustrates me because we are a PC school and there are no Mac’s available for my use. While trying to teach podcasting to my students, I was limited because I wanted to utilize GarageBand and my school doesn’t have any accessibility. I decided to use my own computer anyhow and I just did my uploading from home, but it seems senseless to me that we can’t access such amazing tools.
Rodd Lucier’s presentation of Ten Trends for teaching and learning in the future is phenomenal and, in my opinion, a must view for every educator, administrator, and district leader. His ten trends include: right brain thinking, web-based apps, creative commons, the wiki workplace, social learning, wireless web, world wide web, walls are disappearing, open source attitude, and virtual worlds.
In response to Rodd’s post, the disappointment continues. If there was a way for me to tap into the minds of every education professional to open their eyes to see the possibilities that are available for all students and for a much more conducive learning experience, my life would be complete. This presentation is very thought provoking and encouraging. In looking at a “classroom of tomorrow”, the possibilities are endless. To expand upon a few of the trends listed in the presentation, some are being utilized, I’m not sure how effectively, but several are being censored, so to speak. For instance, the understanding of right brain thinking and basic Internet usage is often encouraged, but the opportunity for social learning, Wikipedia exploration, and virtual worlds are almost non-existent my school and district. In my school and even throughout this program, the use of Wikipedia has been discouraged. I personally think that it is a great way for students to learn to discriminate between factual and fictional information. I don’t allow Wikipedia to be used as a sole source for information, but it is an appropriate starting place in my classroom. As far as social networking/learning is concerned, I’d love to say that it is being encouraged, but it’s not. Our district blocks MySpace, Facebook, etc. and some blog sites are even blocked. To me this tells our students we don’t approve of such environments, which can also lead to parents’ disapproval. I believe that social networking is incredibly valuable to learning and healthy self-expression. For the last one, the use of virtual worlds, the jury is still out on this one in my mind. I find that Second Life may not be appropriate for students, but applications like Spore, Sims, etc. are extremely effective for student creation, right brained thinking, and even the acquisition of entrepreneurship skills. I teach career research and I find that the simulation games/virtual worlds are effective in teaching financial and budgeting skills, as well as entrepreneurship skills for entertainment and profit.
My district, like many I’m sure, is bound to teaching the state standards, and some administrators and district leaders have a difficult time grasping that standards can be taught in engaging and various ways. I am not your typical ‘textbook’ teacher. I use the textbooks when necessary, but they are not my sole source for information and teaching. I try to get to know my students at the beginning of every year and I play off their strengths and interests when preparing my lesson plans. At this point in my career, I am very disappointed in the public school system in my district and I can only imagine that if I am feeling this limited and locked down as an educator, how the students must be feeling.
Does anyone have any suggestions for tackling these limitations and getting the administration and district level professionals on the side of the teachers and students?
Hopkins, D. eLearning, where do we go from here? Message posted to http://www.dontwasteyourtime.co.uk/blogging/elearning-where-do-we-go-from-here/ (2008, December 3).
Lucier, R. Classrooms of tomorrow. Message posted on http://thecleversheep.blogspot.com/2009/11/classrooms-of-tomorrow.html/ (2009, November 14).
