Student Views on Educational Technology

[Michelle Davis]

Do you talk to students about how ed tech should be used in the classroom? Is it important to seek their opinions? In September Education Week Digital Directions hosted two conferences on educational technology, in Chicago and in New Jersey, and one of the most popular panels was one that featured students and their opinions on how technology could be better used in the classroom. Do you think it's important to seek student opinions? What do your students say about how your school or district could use technology in a more targeted way? Let's hear from you.

[Algird Andrew Sunskis, Jr M. Ed.]

Hi Michelle,
Algird here.

You know, it really does not surprise me that of the two conferences on educational technology in Chicago and in New Jersey... "one of the most popular panels was one that featured students and their opinions on how technology could be better used in the classroom." And I wholeheartedly agree with you and Katie that, "Rarely heard are the voices of those who are actively testing new forms of technology: the students." So congratulations to you and to everyone who made room for and supported the student input at the two conventions. Well done!

I wish to add to this celebration a little known event that happened two years ago in Lawrence, Massachusetts, as it may add significantly to all of our appreciation of our students' opinions and experiences as we seek to evaluate technology and its application in tomorrow's schools. Next year's High School: Insights From 6 High School Students was written by LHS senor Alejandro Feliciano and the Aidama Team. This was only the second time in the history of LHS that a person wrote a book while enrolled as a student. The first book was written by American Poet Robert Frost.

The Aidama Team was founded when Alejandro and seven fellow students (all with different talents and abilities and all from different cultural backgrounds) entered high school as freshmen. Recognizing the task before them they banded together with the common purpose of helping each member survive--and successfully graduate-- from Lawrence high school. And they did so marvelously! They are now students in the Massachusetts college system, the UMASS system, and Worcester Poly Tech. This is a story in itself. But more to the point is their understanding of and application of technology to help each other succeed in the classroom and labs. And they did it because the teachers allowed it to happen....

Here's what the reviewers have to say about their book: "…These are the voices of today's high school students, voices calling for subtle but meaningful changes in curriculum, teaching, and content. And just as the struggling electric guitarists of the 60’s helped inspire the revolution in music we now take for granted, so too today’s technology enriched students are struggling for the recognition of their creative specialty. Then as now, they resent the control exercised over them by their less technologically astute elders, but unlike their brethren of the 60’s, today’s high school students do not seek independence or autonomy from the direction and control of their seniors, but equity with them…”

“…once again, from out of the mouths of babes we hear simplicity and truth….”

“Subtle yet powerful, funny yet solid, Next Year’s High School is a must read for all new age kids and adults alike seeking to understand the evolution of learning in America today.”

You can get free copies of this insightful book for yourself and your colleagues by writing personally to Dr. Wilfredo Laboy, PhD at the Wilfredo Laboy Education Research Center, Lawrence Public Schools,188 Essex Street, Lawrence, MA. 01841.
Best regards,
Algird

[Welch]

I know this post has been up for a bit. My district is working on our surveys for staff and k-12 students. This will help our tech cadre focus on development along side our staff development group. I can share our questions if anyone is interested. Also, I can share some results if interested as well. High School is almost complete and MS and Elem. are next.

Chris