How is technology used in your class?

Have you noticed how many rich people from outside the education field are trying to fix education. Bill Gates, Ruppert Murdoch, Paul Allen are just a few that come to mind. I just read a book co-authored by George Lucas of Star Wars fame. The book is quite facinating, and I highly recommend it. There was one very interesting quote that is worth discussing. It was taken from a web site from a Abilene, Kansas High School. Every teacher should read this and ask if they are using technology effectively in their classroom. The quote is as follows:

• I will use a laptop, and you will use paper and pencil.
• I will access up-to-date information, and you have a textbook that is five years old.
• I will immediately know when I misspell a word, and you have to wait until it’s graded.
• I will learn how to care for technology by using it, and you will read about it.
• I will see math problems in 3-D, and you will do the odd problems.
• I will create artwork and poetry and share it with the world, and you will share yours with the class.
• I will have 24/7 access, and you have the entire class period.
• I will access the most dynamic information, and yours will be printed and photocopied.
• I will communicate with leaders and experts using email, and you will wait for Friday’s speaker.
• I will select my learning style, and you will use the teacher’s favorite learning style.
• I will collaborate with my peers from around the world, and you will collaborate with peers in your classroom.
• I will take my learning as far as I want, and you must wait for the rest of the class.
• The cost of a lap top per year? $250
• The cost of teacher and student training? Expensive
• The cost of well-educated U.S. citizens and workforce? Priceless

After reading this, do you think technology is being used effectively in your classroom, or your childrens' classroom? What can be done to improve the situation? Add your opinions in the comments, please.

When Am I Ever Going to Use This Stuff?

How many times do math teachers get that question! My perspective on this question is a little different though. For 29 years I worked as a consulting actuary. The next 7 years have been spent as a high school math teacher. During my career as a consulting actuary I never used geometry, trigonometry, or linear equations. Calculus was used to pass actuarial exams, but it was never needed in the work place. If a professional mathematician does not use over half of what we expect our students to learn, then why should they have to learn it. However, it would be nice to go back to my high school and college math teachers and ask them to teach me how to program in Visual Basic, use Relational Database Management Systems, understand SQL, and build professional animations on a computer that sits on my desk. Since calculators had not been invented (anybody still have their slide rule?), and computers filled up entire rooms, there is a good chance that I would be locked up as a lunatic for asking such questions in the late 60's.

Those teachers did instill in me an attitude that whatever problem was placed in front of me that I was expected to solve it. If the problem was left unsolved, that brought shame and disgrace on me, my teachers, and my community. Talent and ability should never be wasted. If there were difficulties that seemed as though they could not be overcome, get help. But never leave a problem unsolved!

That is the same lesson our students should learn. Studying math teaches discipline, daily effort, goal setting, and persistency. It is the equivalent of mental weight lifting. Lifting weights builds strong muscles. Solving math problems builds strong minds. All too often we see our leaders making excuses rather than solving problems. With the problems we face today, excuses are not an option!