Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Everyone Wants the Answer
Since I started talking this course people have started asking my advice about AT...my husband included. Within these questions I have noticed a trend..everybody wants the solution and everybody wants the solution for all students within one program. There is a search for that perfect program that will work for everyone and as I have discovered within this course that does not exist. I have to admit before taking this course I too did not realize the importance of matching the AT to the personality and the milieu. My husband has called me at work several times with a scenario regarding a student and asked the question what program would be best. I now find myself explaining that depends on the student/personality, milieu and the technology. Last week as I was working on my casestudy, I excitedly displayed the before and after work of the student I was working with in the office. She had used cowriter. The comment was made well so and so used that here before and they didn't like it. My response " not every program works for every student but it definitely works for her"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I am excited that you found a program that works so well for your student. I used many different ones with my student and he seemed to benefit from each one in a different way. the key is to find the one that is just right for the situation
I have had that experience before. Some think if a program, tech or otherwise, needs to work for everyone or they are not interested in pursuing it. I hope, with enough of us finding some success, people will come around.
I love the look of your blog- very restful and inviting.
Barb m.
Excellentexcellentexcellent comments and reflections!
Good for you! I think one of the most important things that we have learned in this course is exactly what you are talking about and that's the message we need to get across to those who seek our opinion. Good response to the office! Pam
It is hard not to get excited about a program and how it can be used for many students. While it's great to see the possibilities, we are reminded in this course that while personality and environment are key elements, how well the technology works for one student will change depending on the task, and different aspects of a program will need to be used in different ways, or new programs entirely may be needed. Teachers need to keep in mind when developing these activities what their purpose is and what we are assessing. Unfortunately, technology seems to be advancing faster than some practices in our schools, and its frustrating when lack of knowledge or funding prevent our students from benefiting from these advances, and the new opportunities for true assessment that they create.
Post a Comment