Computers in the Classroom : How Teachers and Students Are Using Technology to Transform Learning

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational...
Review: "Computers in the Classroom: How Teachers and Students Are Using Technology to Transform Learning" is written by Andrea R. Gooden, the former program manager for the Education Grants program at Apple Computers, Inc. Having known that, I expected this book to be informative and of course, filled with success stories. This book highlights six schools in impoverished communities, all whom received money from the Apple Computer's Educational Grants program. The stories include high schools in New York, Pennsylvania, California, and South Dakota. Elementary schools covered in this book represent Louisiana and New York. Each story discusses the ways in which technology was used to enhance, and sometimes enable education. Students used computers to experience education rather then simply learn. Technology was the key that unlocked the door to success for these students. This book included actual work from students and teacher comments. Although this book does not fully describe the programs used at these schools, it does provide information and resources. This book is not a teacher's lesson guide; it is a teacher's inspiration.

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational...
Review: "Computers in the Classroom: How Teachers and Students Are Using Technology to Transform Learning" is written by Andrea R. Gooden, the former program manager for the Education Grants program at Apple Computers, Inc. Having known that, I expected this book to be informative and of course, filled with success stories. This book highlights six schools in impoverished communities, all whom received money from the Apple Computer's Educational Grants program. The stories include high schools in New York, Pennsylvania, California, and South Dakota. Elementary schools covered in this book represent Louisiana and New York. Each story discusses the ways in which technology was used to enhance, and sometimes enable education. Students used computers to experience education rather then simply learn. Technology was the key that unlocked the door to success for these students. This book included actual work from students and teacher comments. Although this book does not fully describe the programs used at these schools, it does provide information and resources. This book is not a teacher's lesson guide; it is a teacher's inspiration.

Rating:
Summary: Community and Technology working together
Review: Advocates for computers have been proclaiming for years the ways that technology can reshape not only the way teachers teach but also the way students learn. This book looks at 6 different winners of grants from Apple computers. How did these schools use the computers to change their learning cultures?

As you read the diverse situations, you will start to see some commonalities. The first piece that is similar between the different books is that the teachers who initiate the change all desire to see an improvement in the students' lives. This may seem simple, but without a shadow of a doubt, this is what makes the projects actually work. The next commonality is that all the projects involve connections with the community. Many people try to make learning relate to student's lives, but this book recognizes and lauds when a school connects student learning, the community and the students. The final commonality I am going to mention is that of the way the technology was used. The technology is seen as a catalyst for changing the very way the material is presented. The teachers in this book desire to reshape the lecture culture in their schools. They see that the technology can help them to make that change happen. Thus, the students use the technology as an integral part of what they are doing, without the technology becoming the focus. The technology is a tool, but more than that is a means by which the students can learn in ways that they could never learn before.

I find it fascinating that the motivation of the students and change in the culture was not due to the technology. The technology allowed the students and teachers to reach into their local community in ways that they were unable to do before. Actually, its not that they were unable to do it, its just that the computers made it a smoother and more logical connection. The primary lesson that I learned from this book was not that computers need to be in the classroom. It was that the classroom needs to have the tools necessary to connect with the larger community in which the students live. They need to see themselves a valuable and contributing part of this inclusive community.

In my view, our larger culture encourages us to separate ourselves from one another. We need to make sure that whether it is schools, organizations, businesses or individuals, there is always something tying us to the area in which we live.

Rating:
Summary: Great Ideas for Teachers
Review: In a time when integrating technology into our classrooms is not only desirable, but also necessary, useful resources are like gold. "Computers in the Classroom : How Teachers and Students Are Using..." is 10 carat. As the title indicates, the authors have compiled an assortment of examples of how teachers and students are using technology as a tool for learning and impacting their communities. For example, one section describes a project that was implemented in an inner-city school by three different departments. A required interdisciplinary course called "Newark Studies" involves students in producing and publishing a magazine about their community, with the help of technology donated by Apple Education Grant funds. Like this example, the book is filled with stories of children who are learning to use technology to accomplish goals, rather than simply playing games or drilling skills. The authors didn't really give specific instructions on how to implement programs, but provided a valuable resource for those in search of ideas. 1 3/4 thumbs up!

Rating:
Summary: Great Ideas for Teachers
Review: In a time when integrating technology into our classrooms is not only desirable, but also necessary, useful resources are like gold. "Computers in the Classroom : How Teachers and Students Are Using..." is 10 carat. As the title indicates, the authors have compiled an assortment of examples of how teachers and students are using technology as a tool for learning and impacting their communities. For example, one section describes a project that was implemented in an inner-city school by three different departments. A required interdisciplinary course called "Newark Studies" involves students in producing and publishing a magazine about their community, with the help of technology donated by Apple Education Grant funds. Like this example, the book is filled with stories of children who are learning to use technology to accomplish goals, rather than simply playing games or drilling skills. The authors didn't really give specific instructions on how to implement programs, but provided a valuable resource for those in search of ideas. 1 3/4 thumbs up!