The learning landscape is constantly evolving as technology advances. And teachers are embracing those technologies as new tools.
B次元官网网址淵ou see technologies pervasive in our culture and because of that thereB次元官网网址檚 carry over in our classroom,B次元官网网址� said Josh Elsdon, who teaches the Monterey Institute of Technology (MIT), an inaugural Grade 7 class that utilizes technology as part of its routine curriculum.
MIT is based partly on what heB次元官网网址檇 already seen as a teacher, with students bringing in everyday technology B次元官网网址� tablets, laptops, smartphones B次元官网网址� and teachers struggling to figure out the place of that technology in the classroom.
B次元官网网址淭he emergences, like the phones, thatB次元官网网址檚 been interesting watching that evolution take place,B次元官网网址� Elsdon said. B次元官网网址淭hey are a powerful tool and I think at first the reaction by most people was to say, B次元官网网址楾hey donB次元官网网址檛 have a place in the classroom.B次元官网网址� I think as people recognize [phones] are not going anywhere B次元官网网址� and if anything theyB次元官网网址檙e getting more powerful and capable of handling bigger and better jobs B次元官网网址� teachers are trying to find a way to harness them.B次元官网网址�
Most educators are simply responding to advances in tablets and laptops and even phones as new tools to access information, presenting information and organizing thoughts.
ItB次元官网网址檚 not really any different than when computers first came into the classroom and quickly became a necessity for any school to have.
B次元官网网址淲hen our kids in middle school start wood shop, there are a lot of tools in there that have the ability to create things that are beautiful and functional. They also have the power to hurt and injure. Technology is the same way,B次元官网网址� Elsdon said. B次元官网网址淭here are a lot of possible outcomes of having access to all of that information and some of them are scary, because it does allow an avenue for inappropriate information to come into school. In the end one of the jobs we have as educators is to show how to use the tools available to us.B次元官网网址�
The Greater Victoria School District employs an educational technology co-ordinator, a resource for teachers. The co-ordinator connects with educators across the system to research technology tools and put them to best use.
B次元官网网址淚n our district we have access to a lot of really good professional development opportunities,B次元官网网址� Elsdon said. B次元官网网址淎 lot of it is just personal exploration as well. The tools the kids are using are the same as those coming into the households of teachers. As we use them in our personal lives we see applications (for) the classroom.B次元官网网址�
Reynolds secondary is one of those schools lucky enough to score big funding through a Staples program B次元官网网址� Recycle for Education.
B次元官网网址淭hey get a school lab worth $25,000,B次元官网网址� explained Don Routliffe, general manager of the Tolmie Road store.
It blends the companyB次元官网网址檚 passion for recycling, a passion shared by todayB次元官网网址檚 youth, and engaging the community. B次元官网网址淲e are very engaged in trying to work with schools,B次元官网网址� Routliffe said. B次元官网网址淲e get the opportunity to help build relationships with that program.B次元官网网址�
Monterey recently used technology funding for 15 iPads that are used in multiple classrooms. Through shared-grant application, theyB次元官网网址檝e funded and purchased a 3-D printer.
B次元官网网址淥ur school has really invested in it B次元官网网址� Monterey has made it a priority,B次元官网网址� Elsdon said. B次元官网网址淲e have to maintain relevancy. ItB次元官网网址檚 hard to keep up with changing technology, especially from a budgetary point of view. But when we give those opportunities to our students, itB次元官网网址檚 a sign we are interested in meeting them in their reality and not just trying to prepare them for a life in the older generationB次元官网网址檚 reality.B次元官网网址�
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com
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