Conquering the Textbook Syndrome

Melissa Dark K-12 Outreach CoordinatorCERIAS, Purdue University

765.496.6762 dark@cerias.purdue.edu

http://www.cerias.purdue.edu/education/K-12

Workshop Overview Textbook Syndrome Defined Analogies 101 Crafting Messages to Meet Your Goals Focus Groups Running Technology Campaigns Acceptable Use Policies

Introductions Name Home School Position First or Favorite Technology Use What do you hope to get out of

this workshop?

If you don’t know where you’re going….

You’ll probably end up somewhere else.

---Yogi Berra

North Star Activity Are we preparing kids for

yesterday, today, or tomorrow?

Do our schools currently focus upon the skills of the past---or the skills of the future?

Points to Ponder #1

Imagine that you have just received your teaching degree from Purdue. You are applying for a job in the Nampa School District, which has a strong reputation for being very "technologically oriented." Jobs within this school district are highly desirable and thus, very competitive.

After your interview, the school superintendent asks you to clarify your ideas about technology integration by doing two things:

#1 continued…Groups of 4-5. Debrief the following---be sure to jot

down notes/sketches so that you can share with the group.

1. Describe your definition of technology integration within an elementary or secondary school.

2. Illustrate how you would arrange your classroom resources to support an integrated classroom with 24-30 students.

Textbook Syndrome Defined: General Tendency to treat

technology as textbooks. Horse-Automobile Analogy Purchasing Technical Support

Availability Training Collective Perspective

Research shows that “canned” educational software does little to improve: Student’s Thinking Technical Abilities

Best Results: Open-ended, performance based

lessons use technology as a tool. Cooperative learning, Problem-

based learning environments, relevant educational products.

What is needed to “do” technology in this fashion?

Hands-On Professional Development Desktops v. Laptops

Move from spending money on educational software…to spending money on educators.

On his 80th B-day, Thomas Edison was asked, “What invention does the world need most today?”

His Answer: “The world doesn’t need more until general intelligence has increased….so that we can operate what we have.”

Analogies 101 Common Barriers face all tech

integration. Best response? Prepared,

relevant, and logical response analogy.

In groups of 5, consider how you could create a response analogy for the following situations:

The board member who asks,

“Why do we need to give students increased access to

technology? They already have computer class two times a

week. That should be ENOUGH!”

The veteran teacher who asks:

“Why do I need to learn this technology? I’ve been teaching

for XX years…and I never needed to know it before. I can

live without it!”

The hesitant teacher:

“I don’t mind learning the technology…but I’m not comfortable with the fact

that the kids know more than I do. What do I do if they ask

me a question?”

The Parent who states:

“We should be putting money into _________ and not

spending it on costly computers and technology!”

Crafting Messages to Meet Goals:

“Don’t Mess With Texas” “The best part of waking up…” Clear goals and measurable steps

towards them….are supported by messages that are: Simple Concise Relevant to the Target Audience

Messages Should… Hit an Emotional Chord

Hearts first, minds second Acknowledge Busy People Contain a Stickiness Factor Distinguish from Opposition

through: Intelligent theme Relevant Perspective

Message Development Activity: Divide into groups of 3. “Identify” a tech integration plan

or funding drive (technology-based).

Work through the types of messages.

Select a spokesperson to debrief.

Message Debriefing: BRIEF summary of organization or

drive. Briefly describe message and

supporting points. Identify the group’s strongest

message.

Focus Groups: Timing Note Taking Open-Ended Questions Presenting Options Discussing Scenarios Ongoing Communication Building a FAQ list

Timing: 3-5 sessions over a 2 month

period. Individual sessions=short

90 minutes MAX Comfortable environment Refreshments

Correlation: refreshments and participation

Note Taking:

Large Print Newspads Dedicated note taker/transcriber Audio or Video Recording

Open-Ended Questions: Maintain an air of friendly,

cooperative brainstorming. NO FINISHED PLAN. Unearth attitudes, opinions,

questions PRIOR to hearing your plan.

Sample Open-Ended Questions: What should our schools focus on? What do you think are our

district’s strengths/weaknesses? What role do you see technology

playing in our schools? What are the

strengths/weaknesses of our current technology use?

Presenting Options: After discussion, present them

with 3 to 4 possible scenarios (one of which is your idea)

Broad range—maintain status quo to radical integration ideas.

Provide written description, pros/cons, etc.

Discussing Scenarios: How does this scenario address

the issues talked about earlier? How would this choice impact

students, teachers, and tech support?

What would participants need to know before they could choose this scenario?

Ongoing Communication:

Conclude with SINCERE appreciation.

Encourage continued participation.

Create an open-dialogue.

Building a FAQ List: Go back over all questions, issues,

concerns. Categorize in one list. Determine how YOUR idea

addresses these areas. Draw comparisons between

alternatives. Powerful tool to create BUY-IN.

Debrief Focus Groups: How can the use of focus groups

benefit a school district? What are some possible pitfalls to

their use? What are some of your personal

concerns/thoughts regarding FGs?

Running a Successful Technology Campaign:

Preamble Preparation 7 Constituents

Preamble: Be sure you know where you are

going. Identify the specific CHANGE you

want to make. Align your personal beliefs.

Preparing for Battle: Understand Objectives. Examine the REALITIES of your

plan. Learn to speak/network with

everyone: Soccer mom to superintendent

Develop Patience.

The 7 Constituents:1. Superintendent2. Midlevel Administrators3. Teachers, Teachers’ Union4. Parents, PTO, Students5. Community Leaders6. School Board7. Naysayers and Skeptics

Battle Synopsis:

Be Prepared. Be Willing to Listen and Answer all

stakeholders questions. Be ready to dig in for the long

haul. Be open to compromise.

Acceptable Use Policies:

AUP website

Basic Classroom Internet Rules

Supplement to the AUP Opportunity to discuss issues with

students Clarifies expectations Great “CYA” technique Contractual Agreement

Teacher’s Guidelines Discuss Rules/Consequences Supervise *all* of the time Review sites PRIOR to use If searching, teach the students

how to search first. Protect privacy.

Questions???