[Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage/stress/change

Thu Sep 7 10:06:33 EST 2006

A wise Health Centre Nurse once said to my wife and I. "The secret of true happiness is not doing what you want to do but learning to love what you have to do"  Is it really worth our health to worry about the things that we can't change?  

John Kellow
VCE Coordinator
BRIT
Bendigo

________________________________

From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Mark Scott
Sent: Thu 7/09/2006 9:01 AM
To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management Teachers'MailingList
Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage

Just read this three times and still don't understand

Do you agree with me or am I a complete idiot?

Mark Scott

________________________________

From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Stephen Digby
Sent: Thursday, 7 September 2006 8:14 AM
To: 'Year 12 Information Technology Processing and ManagementTeachers'Mailing List'
Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage

- the community is voting with its feet for privatized (user pays) education  - Shift happens. You can't deny it or legislate against it. Live with it. Embrace it.

- the community and the national government want student progress reports expressed as a single index (A-F) in relation to objective benchmarks - Shift happens. You can't deny it or legislate against it. Live with it. Embrace it.

- most school communities want their schools to exclude students who damage the opportunity or safety of other students.  Schools who don't do this (esp. government schools) are not attractive to parents with choices - Shift happens. You can't deny it or legislate against it. Live with it. Embrace it.

- I could go on......

Most educators are very selective about embracing "change".  
The changes that they embrace are usually those that fit their personal values and their career aspirations.

The current line management of educational structures has created an atmosphere where to "talk the talk" is essential to getting promotion.

Thus, the hegemony of ideas from the "authorities' has come to mean the employer.

What I am trying to say is that there is more money, and therefore more "snake oil", in IT than most areas of the curriculum.  To retain some intellectual credibility and autonomy, it is wise to ensure that the benefits of "change" are evaluated in an objective sense rather than accepted as articles of faith in the vision of the current politician.

======================================================================================
Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager 
mailto:admin at cheltsec.vic.edu.au  
Cheltenham Secondary College www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au <http://www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au/>  Ph: 613 955 55 955  Fx: 9555 8617
======================================================================================

My friend Winnie is a procrastinator. He didn't get his birthmark until he was eight years old.- Steven Wright 

________________________________

From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Mark Scott
Sent: 06 September 2006 08:47 PM
To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management Teachers'Mailing List
Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage

Shift happens

You can't deny it or legislate against it.

Live with it.

Embrace it.

Mark Scott

________________________________

From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Stephen Digby
Sent: Wed 6/09/2006 8:03 PM
To: 'Year 12 Information Technology Processing and ManagementTeachers'Mailing List'
Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage

Hate to always be the voice of reason, but I am firmly against "change".  I
am only in favor of "improvement".  The problem with many changes that are
proposed is that the case for them as improvements is not made.
Recalcitrant is a good word as it refers to the refusal to accept authority.
It is in the "unreason"able exercise of authority that recalcitrant behavior
can be a virtue - think of many issues not doubt dear to many hearts -
corporal punishment, enforced numerical grading, enforced letter grades,
enforced ranking reports, etc etc...   Would YOU be recalcitrant ?

Please let's focus on rational debate about what are improvement options and
why they ARE improvements, rather than on an "authority" that tells us that
some changed classroom technology or layout is an improvement.

============================================================================
==========
Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager
mailto:admin at cheltsec.vic.edu.au 
Cheltenham Secondary College www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au Ph: 613 955 55 955  Fx:
9555 8617
============================================================================
==========

All that glisters is not gold.
Shakespeare: From The Merchant of Venice (II, vii) Portia is a beautiful,
virtuous, wealthy woman who is being wooed by numerous suitors. She is not
free to decide on her own whom she will marry because her late father ...

-----Original Message-----
From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On
Behalf Of Bell, Cameron P
Sent: 06 September 2006 12:44 PM
To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
Teachers'MailingList
Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage

Depends on the culture of the school too.
I think wholesale systematic change is hardest for schools to deal with.
I am sure we have all had dealings with some teachers that have the "this is
the way we have always done it" attitude and fight change. They often have
the loudest voice in meetings and have the "fear-factor" in their favour.
Other schools have leadership that encourages change and - dare I say it -
"taking risks". A culture like this can help reduce the effect of the
nay-sayers and will provide the resources to facilitate change.

I have also had a few teachers close to retirement refusing point blank to
learn any new systems or procedures. I have been told "I am retiring next
year, I am not going to worry about learning something new now." On the
opposite side, you have those who just want to keep learning - regardless of
their age or circumstances. I really admire that, as that is exactly the
attitude I would want to instill in the students - life-long, ongoing
learning.

So that change can happen, how do you encourage "recalcitrant" (for want of
a better word) teachers to accept that we must constantly change and adapt
to new circumstances so that it is not seen as a burden, but an opportunity?
Would love any additional strategies people can suggest.

Cameron

-----Original Message-----
From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
On Behalf Of Murray O.
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 11:17 AM
To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
Teachers'MailingList
Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage

Mark
I disagree with you.
Based on my experience, I think teachers are highly adaptable to change be
planned or unplanned. That being said I too get frustrated at trying to
facilitate change in schools.

Can you tell of other professions or groups of adults that change quickly?

Regards,
Oliver Murray
Web Developer
Westbourne Grammar School
www.westbournegrammar.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
On Behalf Of Mark Scott
Sent: Wednesday, 6 September 2006 10:30 AM
To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
Teachers'MailingList
Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage

We are talking teachers.

This is a species renown for not changing quickly.

Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
On Behalf Of jturner
Sent: Wednesday, 6 September 2006 10:11 AM
To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
Teachers'Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage

The big mistake people continue to make is seeing technology as the catalyst
for sustainable change in education when it should be people.
Technology is invaluable whatever its peculiarities but learner centered
means people at the center.
John

On 05/09/2006, at 3:41 PM, Mark Scott wrote:

> I have said it before and no doubt I will say it again.
>
> The biggest advantage in introducing student owned laptops into a
> school is that it can be used as a catalyst for change.
>
> You can start to talk about learner centred classrooms instead of
> teacher centred ones.
>
> ... and of course this is not the only strategy you try, just one of
> several.
>
> Mark Scott
> Luther College
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
> On Behalf Of Michael Walker
> Sent: Tuesday, 5 September 2006 3:06 PM
> To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
> Teachers'Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
>
>>>> Laurie Savage<sav at pvgc.vic.edu.au> 09/05/06 12:07pm >>>
>>> And now we have a generation of people who cannot do the simplest
> calculation in their head.
>
> Laurie
>
>>>> Mark Scott wrote:
>> They said the same thing about calculators back in the early
> seventies.
>
> Ah generalisations, you've got to love them... 8^)
>
> I would argue that with the use of calculators, you don't need to do
> the simplest calculation in your head. However, it requires a
> different skill set to check that your calculator is giving you an
> accurate answer rather than no skill set at all, hence the higher
> emphasis on estimation that occurs in teaching maths now than when I
> was at school. Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis...
>
> I would also argue that those kids I know of who have trouble
> performing the simplest calculation aren't all that flash on using the
> calculator either. I would suggest that a greater cause is lack of
> interest for whatever reason from boring teaching methods in previous
> years showing the kids how irrelevant maths is to lack of support at
> home for doing homework and school in general. Now there's a can of
> worms or three...
>
> Although I don't think laptops are a cure for all ills, I suspect that
> under some circumstances they can be a useful tool in the hands of the
> right practitioner, and in others are a complete waste of time when
the
> circumstances of the school and students are taken into account. To
> give some examples, I am sure that in some laptop schools, the laptops
> are an expensive pseudo notebook / electronic textbook whose primary
advantage
> is larger capacity, neater handwriting (typing vs scribble) and better
> searchability. Obviously Mark's school is not one of them based on his
> response. That's not to say schools with poor use of laptops don't
> exist, and anecdotal evidence would suggest that they do. On the other
> hand, the same applies to schools who have changed their teaching to
> make good use of new teaching methods available from every student
> having the tool and having been taught a proficiency with it.
>
> On the other hand, I would suspect that there would be scenarios where

> a
> $2000 laptop would be a poor use of family or school resources for the
> perceived benefits compared to alternatives. Would a struggling
western
> suburbs secondary school be able to justify making every student buy a
> laptop, even on finance? Would alternative approaches such as good use
> of Moodle with external access be more appropriate in terms of bang
for
> buck?
>
> I would suggest that neither black nor white are correct and that
> although there is a place for laptops in schools, it would be silly to
> try and suggest that it would be desirable for every school in the
> state and every student in the state to have a laptop and be in a
> laptop program. Or to suggest that every maths student in the state
> can't do simple calculations in their head...
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> IPM Mailing List kindly supported by http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au -
> Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
> http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology
> Teachers Association Inc
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> IPM Mailing List kindly supported by http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au -
> Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
> http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology
> Teachers Association Inc
>
>
Dr J Turner
Head of Information Technology / VCE Coordinator Presbyterian Ladies'
College BURWOOD Victoria 3125

This email is intended for the use of the named individual or entity and may
contain confidential and privileged information.  Any dissemination,
distribution or copying by anyone other than the intended recipient of this
email is strictly prohibited.  If this email has been received in error,
then please notify PLC immediately and destroy the original message.

_______________________________________________
http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe IPM
Mailing List kindly supported by http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian
Curriculum and Assessment Authority and http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA
Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc

_______________________________________________
http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe IPM
Mailing List kindly supported by http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian
Curriculum and Assessment Authority and http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA
Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc

_______________________________________________
http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe IPM
Mailing List kindly supported by http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian
Curriculum and Assessment Authority and http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA
Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc

Important -
This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received in error,
please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or using attachments
check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any loss, damage or
consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not,
resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our
liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any
representations or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender,
and not necessarily those of the Department of Education & Training.

_______________________________________________
http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe IPM
Mailing List kindly supported by http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian
Curriculum and Assessment Authority and http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA
Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc

Important -
This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or using attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not, resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any representations or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender, and not necessarily those of the Department of Education & Training..
_______________________________________________
http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
IPM Mailing List kindly supported by
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc

Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or using attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not, resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any representations or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender, and not necessarily those of the Department of Education & Training._______________________________________________ 
http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe 
IPM Mailing List kindly supported by 
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and 
http://www.vitta.org.au - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc

_______________________________________________ 
http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe 
IPM Mailing List kindly supported by 
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and 
http://www.vitta.org.au - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: application/ms-tnef
Size: 21079 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://www.edulists.com.au/pipermail/ipm/attachments/20060907/d1be6bd5/attachment-0001.bin