NECC 2007- Making the Laptop Disappear

June 25, 2007 - 12:30PM Session- Live session blog, so please be kind.

Making the Laptop Disappear- Moving to Seamless Integration
Howard Levin, Director of Technology, The Urban School of San Francisco

Independent school... some say "private school"
9-12 High School, Block Schedule, 4 classes at a time
27% students of color

Laptop Background
Head of School MUST be the key catalyst, if not give up.

Vision

Computer technology is used by all as a natural tool of the learning process.

Computers are available to all whenever and wherever they are needed - similar to the availability of pen and paper. The result de-emphasizeds the specialization of compuer technology as use becom seamless, ubiquitous and normal... the key is to normalize it.

Ultimately, it's all about learning.
Consider:

• Organization
• Communication
• Information
• Production

A significant amount of the presentation was then spent on the "paradigm shift" and youth culture. This session will be podcasted. If I forget, please comment and remind me to link to the podcast.

The comparison of yesterday's teacher and tomorrow's teacher was interesting.
From "I will show you" to "I will guide you" is right on the money.
Howard was clear that he disliked the term 'technology' and preferred the word 'tools.'

tech literate vs life literate
New Paradigm: Everyone captures their life, students and adults have picture phones. Compare that to life when you were 7 years old.

The instructor emphasizes that the laptop becomes a reflection of the student and the way they think. Several very complex desktop images were shared.
Concept mapping software was presented as an integral part of the solution. Visual learners create concept map in an image of how they think. Translation to outlines is then a breeze.

Some excellent survey data was shared about how students collaborate and communicate about schoolwork online OUTSIDE of class. The numbers were indicative of students who were highly dependent and engaged with the "learning tool."

The laptops give a voice to the student who otherwise would not
Writing, writing, writing is the single most important task enabled by the having laptops.
Teachers in foreign language class use voice messages within email to allow for students to have personal practice with speaking the language.
The instructor notes that NO technical training in these techniques were provided.

Several examples of digital learning were provided.
Students studied motion, gravity, resistance and more. Measured with electronic sensors.

IrYidium?- virtual chem lab software? The screenshot flashed across the screen. I'd like to learn more about that.

Examples where production is improved with access to the learning tools.

The instructor skipped ahead as he ran out of time.
He highlighted REAL world issues where students published their work online. Students, knowing that their work is being distributed to the world work extremely hard on the project.
Students interviewed and digitized video of World War II veterans.

Students interviewed local leaders and captured a portion of local history that may have never been reported.

Laptop Info: http://blue.urbanschool.org/laptops
Telling Their Stories: http://www.tellingstories.org

Tags: n07s652, NECC07, NECC2007