Source: http://www.calvary-teens.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/backwards.jpg

Sometime last week, this email request found its way into my inbox. I ran across it today after some prompting from the author and decided to post it and my off-the-cuff response. I’d love to hear what YOUR ideas are.

First, the email:

I am trying to determine the best use of my [cut] Grant. I have $38,088. to spend at the middle school. I know teachers want document cameras, projectors, laptops, smartboards, etc.

I also know that what they want and what they need might be two different things. They all have teacher computers.

Is there any evidence that certain technology equipment supports certain subjects? Anything you can share with me will be appreciated.

Of course, it’s late at night and I wrote this response…but there are some intriguing implications of what this colleague from a Texas district wrote. Obviously, the question about certain tech equipment supporting certain subjects is fun to ponder. My gut reaction is, “No, there is a dearth of evience regarding tech equipment supporting a specific subject.” Am I wrong and, more importantly, where would I look to find such evidence? In a peer-reviewed journal?

Here’s my hastily composed, before I fall asleep response:

Howdy! I did get your email but lost it in the few hundred or so . I forgot to put a star next to it.
There is no statistical data–and I hate stats, don’t know why you got that impression! — that I’m aware of…in fact, some argue that IWB are counter-productive, but there’s a whole bunch of folks that argue the opposite, too.

Why not offer a Technology Competency Certification Plan that offers these different tools as incentives, and fit the tech in where it fits? But wait, that’s what you’re saying, isn’t it?

Here’s a general way to classify it:
Social Studies/English/Reading:
–Digital/Oral Storytelling using PHotoStory, Audacity, VoiceThread.com, and this hardware: FLIP Video Cameras (for random acts of oral histories, look at Oklahoma Voices!), still image cameras (great for capturing images that can be arranged in PhotoStory or VoiceThread as an enhanced podcast (audio+pictures)).

–Interactive WhiteBoards (IWB) tend to support more didactic/traditional instruction, so….

–Document cameras are beloved because you can do a million things, everything from analyzing a leaf or critter to a textbook. Definitely a versatile tool.

My recommendation? Have them apply for mini-grants that require them to describe how they are going to use the technology in their classroom. Offer the minigrants as “media kits”. The write-up (you can also invite them to submit video entries) should explain 1) What their idea is; 2) How this connects to the curriculum; 3) How will success be measured; 4) Provide an example of a completed lesson and 5) a sample student project.

I’m not pleased with my response…I’d like it to be more detailed, backed up with specific citations to research, presenting a clear plan for progress ahead. Anyone have a plan like that to share?

var addthis_pub=”mguhlin”;

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure