We went through the tech survey in sequential order and Ms. Lemmons described some of the technology to me as well as which pieces of technology she only dreams that DSA could obtain. One important detail that I obtained was that rather than pay for a lot of cool software, such a Microsoft Publisher, DSA opts for the free versions of similar software. Many of the items on my list I was not surprised that the school had access to, such as a computer lab, video editing software (it's an arts school after all), and electronic grading, among other items. However, I was surprised to find out that the school did have some smart boards. Coming from a high school that never had smart boards (maybe they do now?) and never having a college class that used one, I had never even heard of the term "smart board" until a few months ago.
Though I think some other interns might be surprised to find out what software is available to their students, I was not. Glancing at the survey, I fully expected DSA to have access to lots of software simply because it is an arts school where students to a lot of video/sound/image editing.
According to the acceptable use policy, students are allowed to email, blog, and use wiki, but they cannot instant message, use cell phones, or download files to the hard drives. Makes sense. Ms. Lemmon's also confirmed my suspicions that the filtered internet would block social media websites. When I hopped on a computer to test out this out though, I found the complete opposite. I miraculously was able to access websites such as Facebook and Twitter... I informed Ms. Lemmons of this and she seemed just as surprised as I was. I guess I just have the magic touch to break into blocked websites?
--> not for me!
I didn't really understand the importance of asking the media specialist what types of technology DSA has access to at first. Just another assignment to do, right? After completing the assignment though, I realize how beneficial it really was. Now I know exactly what pieces of technology I can sign out for my students and I can figure out creative ways to incorporate them into my lessons. In my future teaching I think I will definitely make my way around to visiting the school's media specialist so that I can use the school's technology to benefit my students.
*Note#1: Another important detail that I learned was that Ms. Lemmons is always running around the school. Instead of going up to the media center to look for her, calling her cell phone with a technology question would be much easier for me.
*Note#2: Even if I can access social media websites, it would be unprofessional to do so while on school property, so I would not do this.
April, I am also surprised that DSA opts out of buying "fancy" applications and using the free ones that work just as well. Being at HFA:SCS, I see the importance of having different art centered applications like Photoshop for the students. I also had a very hard time finding my media specialist as he is always running around the building for people. The media technician from previous years decided to leave the school two weeks before the school year started, so I can understand why he is so busy at the moment! I do have two quick questions to ask you though: does DSA have Macs or PCs at their school? and do you think this platform is best for the students at DSA?
ReplyDeleteGreat question! They actually have both Macs and PCs available for student use. Some classrooms also have a netbook cart so teachers can distribute them in their classes for students to do research. Personally, I think the Macs have the better platform for the students at DSA simply because they usually come preloaded with video editing software (iMovie) and sound editing software, among other great features. However, I don't know too much about the capabilities of PCS in these aspects, so it is possible that PCs would work just as well.
ReplyDeleteApril,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insight on DSA! I was surprised as well that they didn't have more art centered apps, but used the free ones. Do they have any unique equipment for the art majors? Are students able to check out equipment for projects like a teacher would? You noted there are smartboards and in the school of education it was the first time I had seen someone use one. Do you see an advantage of having a smartboard in a high school classroom? Would you want one in your future classroom? Do you know if it is used often at DSA? How is technology funded at DSA? Thank you!
Thanks for the questions Meghan.
DeleteDSA does have equipment for the art majors to use during the school day for various activities they are working on. They have digital cameras/camcorders that students can use for filming. I am unsure of whether or not a student can check these out on their own. I think what normally happens is the teachers check them out for students to use during class time. However, I would need to double check this.
Besides this, they have wonderful equipment in classroom specialized for TV productions and radio. The equipment in these rooms would stay there, but I think it's wonderful that they have access to it. Also, the computers have video editing and sound editing software that students can use.
I definitely see an advantage to smart boards in a high school classroom. I think they add a component of engagement because it is so interactive. Teachers and students can both go up to the board and edit whatever is being presented and change it with just a touch of a button. I find myself mesmerized by all the capabilities, so I think a high school student would find pleasure in something like this. I know it can get boring watching a teacher write notes, so using a smart board to add quick notations to already formulated notes could be beneficial. I would definitely want one in my future classroom!
As for DSA's use of smart boards, I have never seen them in action. I was told that some of the science teachers have them stored in the back room.
It never occurred to me to ask who funds the technology, but Ms Lemmons said they don't have as much money as they used to, so I would make the assumption that the money comes from what the district allots them, however I am not sure.
It is also interesting for me to compare DSA to my new placement at Huron High School in terms of technology. Huron has laptop carts that teachers can sign out for a few days to provide for their classes. They also have whiteboards, projectors, and a wonderful media center. Though they do not necessarily have all of the TV/Radio equipment that DSA has, they do have quite a bit of technology.
April, thanks for the thorough summary of the technology at DSA. I'm happy to hear that they do have some solid resources, and like you said it can be really helpful to get a full summary of the tech at your fingertips in a school, so that you can utilize it to your advantage later. How does the tech at Huron now compare to DSA, and does your new mentor teacher utilize tech a lot in a school that doesn't focus on the arts as much?
ReplyDeleteKareem, the technology at Huron is quite different from DSA in a variety of ways. While Ms. Warner had netbooks in the back room for her students to use when necessary, Mr. Russell (my current mentor teacher) has to sign out a cart of Mac laptops when he wants to use them in class. I noticed that he usually has a cart signed out every week and he allows students to use them for different projects and assignments all the time. He also uses the ClassDojo app on his phone, which we heard about in our last 504 class, to track participation points and manage his class, which I think is an awesome idea. I will be downloading this on my phone so I can use this when I take over. Finally, Mr. Russell has a class website where he posts links to all of his materials and assignments, and he periodically sends emails to students to remind them of important dates. This is very different form DSA, because Ms. Warner did not use any of these resources.
DeleteAs for the rest of the school itself, Huron has a pretty nice media center, which I have seen a lot of students using. The classrooms have projectors and white boards, but I was surprised that the computers in the classrooms are very old. They are apple computers that look like they are from the early 2000s, with a huge box attached to the back of the screen! Thus, my mentor teachers uses his own laptop during class.
I also briefly spoke to a technology specialist and she showed me some equipment that has a camera and microphone attached, that teachers can use.
April,
ReplyDeleteSounds like DSA is pretty typical in a lot of ways. I think a good relationship with the media specialist is critical because when you want to bring in new technology, he/she is often the gatekeeper and is willing to make your case for you to administration. I encourage you to infuse into your instruction what you've learned in this class (and elsewhere) with Ms. Lemmons as your partner.