I am a lover of books, of words,
of paper, of handwritten letters. I value face-to-face
communication, and flesh-and-blood friends. One of my favorite
places is in front of a bookshelf in any library. I love to paint and
draw, and the physical sensation of doing these things. I love
being with my students: talking with, listening to, and observing
them. How would such a creature ever become so impassioned about
computer use that she would even forgo graduate studies in literacy for
those in instructional technology?
At first glance, it would be an impossible marriage. And yet, at second glance, maybe not. I am also a person who values efficiency, diversity, and and lifelong learning. It was with dawning delight that I discovered that using technology for personal and educational purposes would cover most of my previous passions, and uncover some new ones.
Communication
I have become an avid user of listservs, message boards, and email. In my busy life, if I cannot be in the physical presence of those I love, there is, at least, the potential for regular contact, and the glorious use of digital photography (and even a web cam every now and then) allows me to see share visually in the experience. I had two sons in Iraq. I will choose electronic communication over postal mail any time when it meant I could read (and see) that my babies were okay in something much more approximating real time than what a paper letter would ensure. Too, I have friends and colleagues who live far away. Years can go by without us being able to get together. But email can close that gap in the most heartening of ways.
Composition
Writing has always been something I have done, and, for many years, my best writing seemed to be done on scraps on paper, in scribble only legible to me. Revision was painstaking and sloppy and--very often--resulted in illegibility, even to me. Since I have begun to compose using a keyboard, I brainstorm, plan, write, and revise concurrently. My flitting thoughts do not so often get away before I can capture them. Do I still write on the backs of envelopes and store receipts? Yes, but it has become more likely that I do something with those writings, since I have begun to use a computer.
Research and Learning
Being someone who easily becomes interested in a variety of things, and someone who is impatient--once such an interest is kindled--the internet has been a godsend for me. It is highly satisfying to ask, and sometimes find answers, in the same sitting! Undoubtedly, the answers lead to more questions, but that is true learning, is it not? And I have had the joy in seeing the phenonemon happen among my students. A seemingly offhand question can result in an internet search in front of the whole class, the results of which often engender rich conversation and more inquiry.
Educational Implications
The more I learn about the use of technology with regard to education, the more excited I become at the implications. The International Society for Technology in Education (I.S.T.E.) has noted that smart technology use can
I believe this to be true, because I have experienced it and observed it on the part of many learners.
Reaching ALL Children
If all children are to have the chance at literacy and learning, we need to give them access to those opportunities in ways that engage, stimulate and encourage each of them. Every school year, I open a discussion with my students about many ways of being smart and of learning. We discuss Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences and we reflect--not upon whether we are smart--but upon which ways we are smart. Technology--at the hands of committed and informed educators--provides opportunities for students of all of these multiple intelligences to make use of them in their learning and to gain a sense of value for their own unique gifts.
At first glance, it would be an impossible marriage. And yet, at second glance, maybe not. I am also a person who values efficiency, diversity, and and lifelong learning. It was with dawning delight that I discovered that using technology for personal and educational purposes would cover most of my previous passions, and uncover some new ones.
Communication
I have become an avid user of listservs, message boards, and email. In my busy life, if I cannot be in the physical presence of those I love, there is, at least, the potential for regular contact, and the glorious use of digital photography (and even a web cam every now and then) allows me to see share visually in the experience. I had two sons in Iraq. I will choose electronic communication over postal mail any time when it meant I could read (and see) that my babies were okay in something much more approximating real time than what a paper letter would ensure. Too, I have friends and colleagues who live far away. Years can go by without us being able to get together. But email can close that gap in the most heartening of ways.
Composition
Writing has always been something I have done, and, for many years, my best writing seemed to be done on scraps on paper, in scribble only legible to me. Revision was painstaking and sloppy and--very often--resulted in illegibility, even to me. Since I have begun to compose using a keyboard, I brainstorm, plan, write, and revise concurrently. My flitting thoughts do not so often get away before I can capture them. Do I still write on the backs of envelopes and store receipts? Yes, but it has become more likely that I do something with those writings, since I have begun to use a computer.
Research and Learning
Being someone who easily becomes interested in a variety of things, and someone who is impatient--once such an interest is kindled--the internet has been a godsend for me. It is highly satisfying to ask, and sometimes find answers, in the same sitting! Undoubtedly, the answers lead to more questions, but that is true learning, is it not? And I have had the joy in seeing the phenonemon happen among my students. A seemingly offhand question can result in an internet search in front of the whole class, the results of which often engender rich conversation and more inquiry.
Educational Implications
The more I learn about the use of technology with regard to education, the more excited I become at the implications. The International Society for Technology in Education (I.S.T.E.) has noted that smart technology use can
induce transformation
result in higher achievement
provide connections
heighten motivation
and
build access
result in higher achievement
provide connections
heighten motivation
and
build access
I believe this to be true, because I have experienced it and observed it on the part of many learners.
Reaching ALL Children
If all children are to have the chance at literacy and learning, we need to give them access to those opportunities in ways that engage, stimulate and encourage each of them. Every school year, I open a discussion with my students about many ways of being smart and of learning. We discuss Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences and we reflect--not upon whether we are smart--but upon which ways we are smart. Technology--at the hands of committed and informed educators--provides opportunities for students of all of these multiple intelligences to make use of them in their learning and to gain a sense of value for their own unique gifts.
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