Title of Article: For a School, Hope and a Fresh Start
Publisher: New York Times
Date of Publication: September 16, 2007
Author: Winnie Hu
Submitted by: Ernest A. Poole
Summary of article:
The Newton Street School of Humanities in Newark, New Jersey has gone through significant changes. With the pressure if NCLB on the district a partnership between the teachers union and Seton Hall University has led to a considerable shift in the way the school is operated.
Relevance to integrating technology into language arts for improving student learning:
The technology was not given to the children but to the staff. Each staff member was given a laptop and professional development along with them. Many of the staff that were resistant to the change either left or were forcibly transferred from the school. Assessment driven instruction has taken hold throughout the school and across subject area. New microscopes (which is technology) were personally purchased by the principal.
I found this paragraph interesting:
"In keeping with the school’s new focus, he said, he has adjusted his science lessons to emphasize the basic reading and math skills being measured on the standardized tests. For instance, he said, students will write essays analyzing the technology shown on old “Star Trek” episodes. They will read aloud more in class, do more calculations in the lab, and summarize scientific research from the Internet."
Your perspective on relevance of the issue to your teaching assignment:
As a science teacher, I want to integrate more technology into my lab, specifically for research. Math and literacy skills are something that I STRESS in my classroom. I was also interesting, and funny, that the students did some analysis on fictional technology when some of it has actually become reality.
While I don't agree with the 'pay-for-grades' aspect of the article since I believe that (academic) success is its own reward, I also must realize that this might be the only way to get to some of the students. However, it is still a slippery slope.
1 comment:
It's scary that it's okay to force teachers out because they're not technologically savvy and are resistant to embracing it.
Yes, technology is the wave of the fu... present, but is it necessary to have it in every class? If there's a balance, in the end, it doesn't matter. It's also a good idea to let kids see that everything isn't technology, and there are some people in the world who *don't* get it.
If a teacher is otherwise solid, I don't see the reason to get rid of her.
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