-tictech message:
Hi All,
I was thinking about how best to share some highlights of the tech year in
my classroom when I came across Paul Andrews' article in the Seattle Times
this evening: "Let technology bring confab's highlights home":
seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/134471294_paul10.html
He talks about good and bad PowerPoint presentations, the problems of
getting access to those presentations after conferences, and about the
possibilities for the future - new and emerging technologies.
Made me think my 8 and 9 year old third graders will be right out there,
able to present, teach, learn - whatever, using the technology of their
moment. At this point in the year, they take pictures with our Mavica and
compose PowerPoint slideshows independently. Their latest efforts have been
presentations on our field trip to the Pacific Science Center, our annual
Young Authors' Conference, and our school's Mile Run. They work as
cooperative partners, and a few are writing individually. The payoff is
publication on our school's LAN - everyone on it has easy access to their
work. Next year I'll combine public speaking with their presentations.
Now of course these presentations are not the slickest and most put together
in the world, but they're not bad - really!. There's the natural
fascination with backgrounds, fonts, transitions, and sound effects
(outlawed unless there's a GOOD reason!). But as they master these basic
skills, they are definitely beginning to understand the art of effective
presentation, persuasion, good writing, art design - and many more skills.
It's a rich medium for literacy instruction and learning in many content
areas.
When they graduate - no, when they get to middle school - the medium for
presentation may well be different, but this class has the confidence and
curiosity to master the latest the world offers up. I hope they get the
chance to strut their stuff and keep on learning in environments that
stretch and enrich. It's been a good year. - Mark
Mark Ahlness
mlahlness@seattleschools.org
Arbor Heights Elementary School
http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/
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