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Edu-Tech News Digest
Each week Media Workshop sends out an email highlighting recent news articles about K-12 educational technology
week of DECEMBER 6, 1999
STANDARDS BASED LEARNING
"Academic Standards Eased as a Fear of Failure Spreads"
Jacques Steinberg
The New York Times,
<http://www.nytimes.com/library/national/120399states-expectations-edu.html>
December 3, 1999
Despite generous grading methods, too many students are failing recent attempts by schools to test the impact of standards on student learning. In some areas around the country, almost 50% of students would be required to repeat a year if school administrators follow through with plans to hold back students who do not pass benchmark tests. Even with the current testing problems, educators generally agree that standards-based learning is at the point where its efficacy needsto be evaluated. Administrators acknowledge that they have not put enough support into working with teachers to understand and interpret the higher learning standards, and pledge to improve this crucial part of integrating standards into the curriculum. In many ways, the problems schools are seeing with standards-based learning are analogous to the difficulties associated with integrating technology into the curriculum. In both cases, it is difficult to assess the impact on student learning - the real goal of both educational movements - through traditional testing methods.
TECHNOLOGY TRAINING FOR PARENTS
"What Parents Must Know About High-Tech Schools"
Roberta Furger
PC World,
<http://www.pcworld.com/shared/printable_articles/0,1440,12698,00.html>
November 30, 1999
The challenges facing schools who integrate technology into the curriculum is outlined for parents in one of the several sections of this article. Issues that parents may not be fully aware of are illustrated through examples of specific classroom projects and descriptions of how schools reorganize themselves to meet the demands of a technologically enriched environment. Other sections of this article provide links to more information for parents, and checklist of attributes that are typically found in a techno-savvy school.
"School Puts Computer in Every Pupil's Home"
Carlos Illescas, Education Writer
The Denver Post,
<http://www.denverpost.com/enduser/digital/digital1122d.htm>
November 22, 1999
The Wyatt-Edison Charter School, one of 80 for-profit Edison Schools in the U.S., is committed to providing each student with a computer for home and school use. Wyatt-Edison's students, most of whom are from low income families, are expected to use this computer to complete assignments that take advantage of the Internet and other digital resources, and the school is providing technology training for parents so that they can be more involved in the process.
ADVERTISING IN SCHOOLS
"Free Computers for Schools Come with a Price"
Sumathi Reddy
The News & Observer (North Carolina),
<http://www.news-observer.com/daily/1999/12/02/tri01.html>
December 2, 1999
North Carolina K-12 schools are looking very carefully at the pros and cons of installing computer labs donated by ZapMe!, a company who provides free hardware in exchange for the school's permission to display pre-installed advertisements on the computer. While the ads are reported to be age-appropriate, many parents and schools officials feel their presence unnecessarily promotes a consumerist mentality during classroom time. Also of concern is that personal information about students (age, gender, and zip code) will be gathered and distributed to advertisers. On the other side of the argument, schools claim that they are getting media and technology for student use that they otherwise could not afford.
TEACHER SHORTAGES
"Students Are Interested in the Classes, But Schools Can't Find Enough Teachers"
Heather Saucier
Houston Chronicle,
<http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/metropolitan/education/392798?R637313842>
[free registration required]
November 28, 1999
Despite the growing number of students who are interested in taking technology intensive classes such as computer animation and graphic design, a shortage of qualified teachers is preventing many Texas secondary schools from offering these classes. Teachers with the skills needed to teach animation or design often leave the world of education for the larger salaries found in the business sector. Schools are generally unable to replace these teachers given the small number of animators and designers who are also certified educators. In addition to the teacher shortage, schools cite the expensive nature of hardware and software as a reason why these classes are being cut from the curriculum.
SHORTS
"Some Kids Play for Keeps at Apple"
Leander Kahney
Wired News,
<http://www.wired.com/news/school/0,1383,32792,00.html>
December 2, 1999
A workshop held to introduce new video editing software made by Apple Computer to adults and children had a bit of an unhappy ending for some. While children of celebrities such as Sinbad and John Cleese took home a new iMac and a Canon digital video camera, kids who invited from poorer California areas were required to donate their equipment to their schools.
"Leaders of the Stacks"
Jessica Garrison
Los Angeles Times,
<http://www.latimes.com/news/state/19991128/t000108591.html>
[requires registration, free until January 16, 2000]
November 30, 1999
While librarians still consider improving literacy to be the focus of their work, they must also respond to the changing role of the library in today's technology-driven and information-based culture. Libraries have changed to address Digital Divide issues, and often provide computer and Internet access to those who cannot afford to purchase their own equipment.
summaries complied by:
Jessica Millstone (jmillstone@mediaworkshop.org)
Media and Education Technology Consultant
Media Workshop New York, a special project of the Bertelsmann Foundation
<http://www.mediaworkshop.org>
To subscribe to this news digest service, send an email to: edutech-news@liststar.mediaworkshop.org with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
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