Points of Viewing Children's Thinking

Goldman-Segall, Ricki. (1997-1998). Points of viewing children’s thinking. Retrieved April 12, 2008, from http://www.pointsofviewing.com/index.html

This is a really neat website. You can click on the Preface button on the bottom to read a brief overview of what this site (and the corresponding book) is all about. Basically it compares the computer culture in two different communities: one ethnically diverse inner city school in Boston and one middle class, mostly White, rural school in British Columbia. What is really interesting is that Goldman-Segall (1997-1998) found that, “Both school communities have watched their young people gain literacy and competence in constructing computer representations of classroom projects. Not only have their tools changed from pen to computer, video camera, multimedia, and the Internet, but their way of thinking about themselves as learners has also changed. Learners now see themselves in the director's chair as they piece together new connections between diverse and often unpredictable worlds of knowledge.” This is very powerful to me, because I really feel that for technology integration to be effective in increasing student achievement, we have to put the technology “in the hands” of the students. I have a strong belief in the “learn by doing” approach to teaching and try to make my lessons as hands on and student centered as possible. Because of this belief I would like to help teachers take the time to explore the new possibilities in learning when you actually put technology into the hands of your students. I think that once the initial learning curve is over, you will find that both you and your students benefit from it and truly enjoy it. If you don’t believe me, then you should check out the Participate section of the website, where you can actually view videos of how the students feel about their expanding expertise in technology and how it has affected their views on learning and school. You can hear the joy in their voices as they describe making a computer game and then playing it. Wow! That one really impressed me. And those students learned so many skills in just that one application, too.

So by now you are probably thinking to yourself, but how would I begin in this process (or perhaps what more could I do)? As I have mentioned before, a fun and “easy” way to get students involved in actually using technology is to start out with using digital cameras and photography…something you can literally put in their hands. :o) The great thing about digital cameras is that most students are already familiar with cameras (and most teachers/schools already own one, or with the price drops lately it would be something that is feasible to purchase…or ask PFA to purchase) and there are tons of free software applications that you can download off of the web to manipulate/use the images that the students have captured. From now on in my blog I am going to focus on ways to get those cameras in the hands of your students, as well as getting them using some of the great software applications out there. I am going to take this approach by focusing on only one concept, skill, or production at a time and describing exactly how to get your kids in on the fun. :o) Happy Snapping!

Sabrina :o)