The downside of modern technology
There is clearly a downside to modern technology in education. You'd think having a school district that has the latest in computer technology would be a plus. But what happens when the teachers rely so heavily on the technology that they can't teach without it? My daughter found out today at her middle school -- apparently you do nothing all day.
The power has been out for the last few days in the main administration building, where the computer servers for the district are housed. As a result, there is no internet access or WiFi in any of the buildings. So what can't a modern school do without computers?
They can't take attendance. They can't communicate with parents via email or send out the announcements on the school listserv. The Yearbook class sits around because they can't code their pages. The Science class can't enter their data into their spreadsheets. The World Geography can't take their exam because it's computerized. And the Algebra class has to have an impromptu review day because the teaching material is normally all presented via the Smart board (a computerized, interactive display screen, for the uninitiated among you.)
I did ask my daughter why the heck they couldn't just use ... I dunno ... a CHALKBOARD in her math classes, and she told me that 1) the teacher said it would be inconvenient (!) to write everything out on the board because she'd just have to erase it each period before the pre-material quiz, and rewrite everything again, and 2) the teacher tried to use an overhead projector instead, but by the time they located one and figured out how to set it up (!!), the class was half over and they might as well just review. Oh, yes, and they don't have any chalkboards in her school. They only have white boards, with those dry erase markers. (Which means I am now officially very old.)
On the other hand, English class could go on with only minor adjustments, since they are reading and discussing an actual book they can hold in their hands (gasp!). Band and PE apparently went off as usual. And lunch workers were able to record who bought what, but only because their computerized system is self-contained and doesn't require WiFi.
I'm still shaking my head in amazement.
The power has been out for the last few days in the main administration building, where the computer servers for the district are housed. As a result, there is no internet access or WiFi in any of the buildings. So what can't a modern school do without computers?
They can't take attendance. They can't communicate with parents via email or send out the announcements on the school listserv. The Yearbook class sits around because they can't code their pages. The Science class can't enter their data into their spreadsheets. The World Geography can't take their exam because it's computerized. And the Algebra class has to have an impromptu review day because the teaching material is normally all presented via the Smart board (a computerized, interactive display screen, for the uninitiated among you.)
I did ask my daughter why the heck they couldn't just use ... I dunno ... a CHALKBOARD in her math classes, and she told me that 1) the teacher said it would be inconvenient (!) to write everything out on the board because she'd just have to erase it each period before the pre-material quiz, and rewrite everything again, and 2) the teacher tried to use an overhead projector instead, but by the time they located one and figured out how to set it up (!!), the class was half over and they might as well just review. Oh, yes, and they don't have any chalkboards in her school. They only have white boards, with those dry erase markers. (Which means I am now officially very old.)
On the other hand, English class could go on with only minor adjustments, since they are reading and discussing an actual book they can hold in their hands (gasp!). Band and PE apparently went off as usual. And lunch workers were able to record who bought what, but only because their computerized system is self-contained and doesn't require WiFi.
I'm still shaking my head in amazement.