TCEA

Last week, at TCEA I was part of a panel Distance Education in Texas for the 21st Century, with Brenda Quintanilla (Crosby ISD), Barbara Smith (TxVSN), Richard Smith, and Caroline Crawford (University of Houston-Clear Lake).  I had fun trying to stir things up and challenge some of the audience and my panel members.

Afterwards, I was invited, by Caroline and Richard, to be interviewed for their video show, Technology and Education Today.  You can watch my very informal and fun interview at http://youtu.be/ZFUvSfcYq1Y or look at it here.

Discussion on LinkedIn's Technology Integration in Education

The discussion starts with a question: "Anyone using virtual worlds to teach? posted with a link to video of Owen Kelly talking about the failure of teachers to recognize the differences between real and virtual worlds.  But the posting and the video weren't a good match, at least for me.

A few posts though responded to the opening question.  I couldn't resist so jumped in with a comment:

An issue to consider, at least if you're in the US in K-16 education, is the issue of access. Some virtual worlds, even some online classes, are designed such that students with disabilities have problems accessing the course content. It's one of those issues that seems to get left at the wayside, when it should be one of the issues that's at the top of the list.    

One response, I took as positive was this one:

To your earlier point Raymond, while not strictly "virtual worlds" a few years ago I was involved in a project to provide distance learning (shared learning) to a severely disabled student in a remote rural area, as opposed to having to "bus" him in great discomfort for a couple of hours a day. In that instance we were able to provide far greater access and education choices than using real world education.

I understand this will not always be the case, but if we remain understanding of those with special needs, as you suggest, and throw in a little creativity, I am sure we will be able to improve access to a greater range of education choices to everyone. 

I especially like the final sentence.

 

                

What does it mean?

There's an interesting infographic from the folks at LearnStuff that presents some interesting data about students and use of technology.  It's of particular interest because of the discussions I hear at my campus from faculty who are adamantly against students bringing technology into the classroom.  I'm not there.  I need to find ways to keep the students engaged with me, or have them engage with the subject using their technology.

I read lots of articles about the increased quantities of technology in use in K-12 classrooms.  Teacher education programs need to preparing their graduates for the changes in the quantity and range of technologies they'll find in K-12 classrooms.

 I see college and university programs that are introducing e-texts, and tablets as required tools, or including technology in the price of registration. 

Then, I was at a conference in early November, and we were talking about the lack of home computing and internet access by low income families and the impact that has both on student learning and career education.  So, while the quantity of technology and ways to access the internet continue to increase, there are still places where access is a problem.  Have you noticed how often on television news they say to go to the station/network website for more detailed information.  Folks without easy internet access can't do that.

I know that the reports say we've eliminated the digital divide, and in may places we have, but I don't think we've yet provided digital opportunities for all our citizens.

Cyber Charter Schooling in North Carolina

My colleague and prolific blogger Michael Barbour has a very interesting post on Virtual School Meanderings which is worth a read.  An example of the problems of having a for-profit becoming a very large player in the virtual school market.  I'm uncomfortable with the actions of K12 in this particular situation.  They've taken other actions in previous situations that I've not been pleased with as well.