by Bruce Friend
My job allows me to travel around the country visiting different schools and speaking to teachers, students, and parents about their use of technology for educational purposes.
The “technology” I see being utilized as part of instruction in traditional brick and mortar classrooms amounts to little more than the chalkboard being replaced by a PowerPoint presentation. PowerPoint for classroom teaching can be useful but it exemplifies that classrooms are doing little more then scratching the surface of what is possible by taking advantage of technology. If we are just scratching the surface, our children will not be competitive in the 21st century’s global economy.
A recent meeting I had with a group of 18 middle school students on a career day was telling. I asked them the standard “what is your favorite class” question that seems to be a staple of such events. The response I received ranged from physical education, band, web design/computer class, etc. Not a single student responded with math, science, English, or social studies. As I asked follow up questions it became apparent why the students identified the classes that they did. Being actively engaged in the learning process is core to those courses. P.E., band, and a computer class are not passive experiences. They could not say this about their other classes.
The use of technology to assess performance and individual needs; instruct students inspire their curiosity and creativity; to expand when and where learning takes place; and to engage parents can allow us to fundamentally change what “school” is – for the better.
Participation in online courses is one way that home school families can expand the academic offerings to their students as well as expose student to 21st century learning opportunities. In my experience providing online courses and instruction to home school students, I have found that such students are often a step ahead of other students in regards to their understanding that “learning” can take place any where at anytime.
Bruce Friend is a pioneer in K12 online learning. As a founding member, teacher, and chief administrator of two state-wide virtual school programs, Bruce has considerable experience in providing online learning opportunities to home school students. In 2003, Bruce was honored with the Most Outstanding Achievement by an Individual Award by the U.S. Distance Learning Association. In recent years he has consulted with online program developers and families throughout the United States. He is currently the Director of SAS® Curriculum Pathways® (www.sascurriculumpathways.com). bruce.friend@sas.com
My job allows me to travel around the country visiting different schools and speaking to teachers, students, and parents about their use of technology for educational purposes.
The “technology” I see being utilized as part of instruction in traditional brick and mortar classrooms amounts to little more than the chalkboard being replaced by a PowerPoint presentation. PowerPoint for classroom teaching can be useful but it exemplifies that classrooms are doing little more then scratching the surface of what is possible by taking advantage of technology. If we are just scratching the surface, our children will not be competitive in the 21st century’s global economy.
A recent meeting I had with a group of 18 middle school students on a career day was telling. I asked them the standard “what is your favorite class” question that seems to be a staple of such events. The response I received ranged from physical education, band, web design/computer class, etc. Not a single student responded with math, science, English, or social studies. As I asked follow up questions it became apparent why the students identified the classes that they did. Being actively engaged in the learning process is core to those courses. P.E., band, and a computer class are not passive experiences. They could not say this about their other classes.
The use of technology to assess performance and individual needs; instruct students inspire their curiosity and creativity; to expand when and where learning takes place; and to engage parents can allow us to fundamentally change what “school” is – for the better.
Participation in online courses is one way that home school families can expand the academic offerings to their students as well as expose student to 21st century learning opportunities. In my experience providing online courses and instruction to home school students, I have found that such students are often a step ahead of other students in regards to their understanding that “learning” can take place any where at anytime.
Bruce Friend is a pioneer in K12 online learning. As a founding member, teacher, and chief administrator of two state-wide virtual school programs, Bruce has considerable experience in providing online learning opportunities to home school students. In 2003, Bruce was honored with the Most Outstanding Achievement by an Individual Award by the U.S. Distance Learning Association. In recent years he has consulted with online program developers and families throughout the United States. He is currently the Director of SAS® Curriculum Pathways® (www.sascurriculumpathways.com). bruce.friend@sas.com
