I thought you might like a "film strip" for class this week too. Check out this latest video in the Shift happens series.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ILQrUrEWe8
The information and presentation is engaging and important for us. Let me know what facts are the most poignant for you personally and then discuss what principals need to be doing with info and materials like this-for example, how would you use it and for whom or where do we even start? Check out the other videos in the series if you like.
You might want to Google "rickrolled" after the video since you have now been officially rickrolled-your students know what it is.
28 comments:
Yay for the “film strip!”
There were some very interesting facts. I think the part about the computer in your cell phone being so impressive really hit with me. Not to mention the fact that in 25 years it will be able to fit into a blood cell. Don’t know why I enjoyed that the most, but I thought it was cool. Also the social networking facts were crazy!
I think this would be a great video to share at a staff meeting. There are many teachers and staff members (we all have them in our schools) who are resistant to using technology and I think this would be an eye-opening thing for them to see. It’s reality, and this is a quick and attention grabbing video. (What’s funny is that they would probably respond more to this video than just reading the facts on a sheet printed out for them….imagine that…)
The statistics in this clip are eye-opening. The fact that more TV was uploaded to You Tube in the last 2 months than if ABC, NBC, and CBS had aired new content 24/7/365 since 1948 was amazing. Principals have to realize this is our world today. Technology has to be a priority in the school. A commitment to staying current with technology and also offering ON-GOING professional development for teachers is a must. Educators have to be comfortable with technology before the school can be a technology rich environment for students.
I was also stunned by the fact that teens text an average of 2272 messages a month. What are the health risks of this...Arthritic Hands, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Are we creating more problems for society in the long run? I guess time will tell.
I wonder if the lady who was always enjoying Dr. Mills' film strips would know how to show one today!
Lots of amazing information in this "film strip" to me:
~2,000,000 televisions in bathrooms? (What? First of all, how do they know that and second, who in the world needs or has time for a tv in the bathroom?)
~# of texts sent by teenagers (I have a soon-to-be teenager...sure am glad we have a plan with unlimited texting!)
~the data comparing the campaign funds raised and how they were raised in Feb. 2008 was very interesting
~17% percent of US companies have disciplined employees due to on-line comments. This stat proves that some people do not think before they open their mouths (or start typing!)
~what once took a building, now can be held in a pocket, and will soon fit in a blood cell...that's mind-boggling!
What should principals do about this info? First, BE AWARE and second, embrace it. I know a principal who comments frequently about how illiterate he is concerning technology. That is not acceptable in our world, particularly since we are supposed to be influencing, in a positive way, children who are our future. Technology itself, its proper use in particular, is the new medium for delivering what we want our students to know and become.
I agree with Courtney that this would be a great video to share with staff at a meeting or some type of staff development. Like she said, most faculties have folks who are resistant and those folks need to see what's going on in the real world!
I do not really find the information here that surprising. Especially when I texted 1,800 texts about 2 months ago. My husband about hit the floor- lol. Good thing we have unlimited texts. My husband also spends about 30 minutes plus in the bathroom, taking care of business, and has already commented that if we ever remodel, he will have a tv there. Shhh! Don't tell him I told you that!
However, I do believe others are very unaware and this video is very true. As principals, it is very important to be aware and find ways to embrace the fast pace of technology. I must say Connie is right on by saying teachers need continue professional development. There are still some teachers who do not use technology as a tool in their classrooms, even with training. They don't even understand how much easier their lives could be. Why reinvent the wheel when the WWW has a million ideas, lesson plans, evaluation tools, etc. at the click of a mouse. I believe principals should push for technology in the classroom and help those who encounter challenges. Even if it means finding the funds to do such things and making sure everyone has access to it. Know your staff and allow staff members who are savvy in technology train others occasionally and continually, until they get it!
I have seen these before, and I also have to agree with Courtney about showing them at a staff meeting. I did see the first edition at a staff meeting.
Ok, so first let me say how behind the times I am to have never heard of being "Rickrolled." Interesting phenomenon:)Glad to now know...
On the more serious side, the facts in the clip were amazing! Courtney and the others were all dead-on in recognizing the fact that there are still so many administrators and classroom teachers who are so resistant to the use of technology. But I think that when you get to the heart of their sentiment, it's due to lack of confidence and time to gain it. Even if you read about technology and go to trainings, unless you take time to actually use what's available and embrace the opportunities technology offers, it's useless.
So then the question becomes "How are we going to make time to get the quality use of technology in school buildings?" I think that as future administrators and current classroom teachers, we begin by modeling. Like Melissa said, you take time to share what you're doing with others and make time to help them along. As administrators, you model and you set high expectations of technological use in classrooms. You provide times in staff meetings for teachers to share how they're using technology. AND, you make sure that the disciplinary decisions you make with students and staff regarding technology doesn't cut off the multitude of positive reprecussions that come from technology. Eventually, folks will jump on the bandwagon...or they'll retire.
The fact is, as we've seen in this video, we can't wait on others to decide to join in. Technology's leaving us behind all the time.
Although this is the first time I have seen this video, it isn’t the first time I’ve seen similar statistics. I have been involved in several staff meetings where clips were shown that have echoed what we saw in this clip. There is often a huge sense of surprise in these numbers, especially to our teachers and administrators. The fact that facebook, myspace, and twitter are now common ways for our students to communicate instantly is something that we as schools should be taking advantage of and not shying away from. Our students use this technology from their cell phones dozens of times a day (often during class) and most of we adults lack the skills to do the same. As new administrators we all need to embrace technology and figure out ways to successfully and appropriately implement it into our daily routines in our schools. All schools have a few technology gurus and like my colleagues before me have stated, we need to take full advantage of them. Like I said earlier, I’ve seen similar clips which always seem to make the staff gasp. The problem is that it often doesn’t carry over into their classrooms and their lessons. As administrators we have to back up an opening/introduction of a clip like this with real support and questioning of how we are improving our schools with technology. It’s a great conversation starter, but it can’t be the whole conversation.
Connie, I agree with you on the fact that it is totally unacceptable for a principal to be technological illiterate. He is influential in the school and should be setting high standards. Instead of letting others know his technological deficits, he should do something about them. A principal should show the school body he has a vested interest in what is important for living in the future. He should get involved with current trends which will allow students to realize he believes in the future. As Juliana said technology will leave us behind.
Interesting stuff. I was floored by the youtube stat about 2 mos. of uploaded video outdoes NCB, CBS, ABC since 1948! It seems that there are a lot of people that want to share something with the world. As principals, we should probably realize that most of our kids may fall into that category.
2272 texts per month! Wow! Cell phones are banned in most schools! That’s the primary method of communication for most of these kids! I bet you could figure out why little Johnny didn’t study for his history test if you texted him.
I think my post so far sounds like I would jump on the bandwagon in a second. I am referring to the “immediate school technology submergence” bandwagon. But I am not. I’ve seen it done prematurely and a school ends up with cool gadgets that collect dust because no one has been trained to use them or no one wants to use them.
I am currently on a team at my school that received a grant for 70 ipod touches for student use. We are currently researching and tossing around the idea of trying to become one-to-one with these. We have visited other schools which have systems in place for one-to-one use of the touches. We have surveyed and exchanged serious dialogue with our staff to get a feel for things. These are things that need to be done before a principal jumps right in and purchases something cool for the staff without doing the background.
I love this question and am anxious to read ideas about how and where to begin. My contribution = do needs assessments! Find out what your kids, staff, parents want and need and what they will be willing to try.
i re-read all of your posts and i see that you all believe that time is probably the biggest reason we are not properly trained in technology - and like Claudia said - it must be ON-GOING. how true!
Juliana - good ideas about incorporating into staff meetings. it would be nice if we all had a technology coordinator at our schools. monthly training during planning periods wouldn't be such a huge ordeal if the trainer were on-site for follow-up help.
funny thing. i just checked my school email and found this sitting in my inbox. the article doesn't go into much detail and the blog comments are mostly from students, but i was wondering if anyone could relate. i was interested in the how you can make it work without all the negative ramifications that may come along with it. i'll research facebook in the classroom a little more.
hope this works: http://tweentribune.com/content/teacher-year-uses-facebook-class-does-yours
Al is dead on about not just jumping in. I have seen this at schools as well. We have CPS systems, whiteboards, projectors, access to ClassScape and few are ever really used by the staff. Typically the training on these items was offered during planning periods or afterschool on your own time and few bothered to come. On the other hand, the ClassScape training was mandatory for most, and we still don't use it enough.
I agree with Connie and Claudia about the principal simply accepting that they are not technologically adequate and just playing it off. You are both right that he/she must always try to lead by example and show that an old dog is never to old to learn new tricks. We are in a business that is ever evolving and we must grow and adapt with it.
Back to Al's comments, we need to have multiple training sessions led by whoever we know who is capable of having them. I have seen teachers at my school conduct several trainings on CPS, ClassScape, and even NCWise that were not prompted by administrators. A big pat on the back to them for helping and administrators should encourage this type of behavior.
Great comment about sending the text to the struggling child to find out why he is not studying!! What I would give to see that face!
It is amazing how the traditional media outlets are becoming outdated. I figured that newspapers were really having a hard time. We live in a 24/7 media society now and we can find anything out anytime and by the next morning when the newspaper is printed, it is already old news. It really surprised me that network television and radio were starting to struggle and think about how much it has changed in the past 15 years or so and just imagine how much more it will change in the next 15 years. That being said it think the video was very informative on showing how quick technology is changing and I think it would be great to show at a staff meeting.
Thank you Juliana. Yesterday, was the first time I, too, had heard of being "Rickrolled." I have not seen that Rick Astley video since high school!
I agree with Melissa that principals and school systems need to embrace the fast past of changes in technology. The way we access information is much different today than it was even ten years ago. Cyberspace is amazing and, as a person living in the first world, it is also something I expect to be available every second of every day.
No longer do I have to ponder the answers to my questions. The answers are just beyound the keypad. All I have to do is type the question and the answer appears on the screen. However, when reviewing the plethora of "cyber" answers offered to my question, I do have to be able to discern fact from opinion.
And, that is where the schools re-enter the equation of technology. Not only, as educators, are we responsible for teaching students how to access information, but, we are also in charge of teaching students how to use the "web" information responsibly.
As an eighth grade social studies teacher, I guide students through the research process preparing them for high school. In the sixteen years I have been teaching, our research projects have relied more heavily on technology as each year has passed. I teach my students how to use both printed and non-printed information in order to conduct research. However, I along with the students, prefer to gather information via the web. It is just easier.
Recently, the most fabulous research tool I have discovered is www.citationmachine.net. This site enables students to "pluge in" citation information and then Citation Machine formats the information! I have had more success teaching students how to write citations this year than I have ever had.
Also, we have employed iPortal inorder for the students to access their notes, websites, and research papers at home. Each child has been given an account which they can pull up at home. All the work they have completed at school during the day is waiting for them when they get home...just beyond the keypad. I love iPortal!
Students acutually like doing assignments when they get to use computers. My students have completed two research projects this year and both times, there has been 100% participation. The projects relied heavily on technology and the students willingly and enthusiastically participated in the projects.
So, yes... I agree with Melissa that principals need to find the funds to ensure that technological updates are in the realm of continued education for teachers and administrators.
Melissa,
I have to agree with you that administrators are going to have to take a much more aggressive role with expectations of implementation of technology in the classroom. The longer we allow teachers to put technology on the backburner, the farther behind they're getting and the less likely they are to take a stab at using it. My dad's an administrator at a private school and he requires his teachers to turn in a plan every so often showing how they're utilizing technology in the classroom. Not a bad or difficult place to start. Using PLC's, staff meetings, etc. to highlight teachers who are using it is an easy way to start, too. It's all in the expectations.
I agree with Thomas (and everyone else for that matter) that, "All schools have a few technology gurus and like my colleagues before me have stated, we need to take full advantage of them."
I think this is also key and an important part of the instructional leaders job. We have to identify and use the people who know their stuff. More than likely they will love sharing and want a challenge anyway.
This past year I (and another music teacher) have done six SMART board "help" sessions for teachers because my principal loved the lessons that I created and used when she observed me. So, she asked me to do it and I had a blast sharing and building a better relationship with classroom teachers.
I think this is so important in all aspects of being an administrator. Most of you are in my other class and we were talking about "expert" power, or people that have power because they are an expert at what they do. It's imperative to utilize these "experts" to help you as an administrator.
I agree with what most of you are saying regarding the use of new technology. It is amazing to see to the how much a school's staff vary in their tech skills and ability to utilize current and emermging technology. School districts are often quick to bring in an outside presenter for professional development and not following up or reinforcing what had been presented. I think it would be effective for the tech gurus in the building to present the technology and be assigned to a specific teacher who is lacking in this area, kind of a tech mentor, mentee situation with ongoing reinforcement and training.
Thomas mentioned the many pieces and items of technology his particular school has in the building that are not being utilized. This is such a common horror story...loads of money spent on things that are sitting in storage rooms and closets. This is so scary, particularly in our economy. I hate waste! It is the responsibility of the building administrator to know what is in the school. Then the principal needs to make sure he/she knows the technology expert within the school. That is the person who's got the power to facilitate change. Put that person in charge of something!!!! Utilize the expertise of the students. Find somebody (parents, community members) to help make something happen!
The statistics in the video were amazing. It’s apparent to all of us that all students have cell phones, and they are using face book to communicate daily. We as administrators will have to incorporate different strategies to reach the students. In our school we have a policy prohibiting the use of cell phones. After looking at the video clip, how are we going to have this policy when all students use the cell phone for various means of communicating? As administrators we are going to find creative ways to incorporate the use of technology in our classroom. We are responsible for making sure we are reaching our students in which we teach. If the use of technology is the key then we have to get on board.
I agree with Juliana unless you take time to actually use what's available and embrace the opportunities technology offers, it's useless.
Melissa, I agree with you on the fact that as principals it’s important to be aware and find ways to embrace the fast pace of technology. It’s the responsibility of the principal to set the standards and the staff with embrace the policies. If the principal isn’t accustomed to the trends and the traditions of the students we will lose them. I also agree that the training sessions would be beneficial to the faculty, starting with PLC’s and staff meetings. Technology is the future!
Al,
Excellent suggestion about conducting needs assessment surveys. When it comes to technology, people can be less than excited about integraton. However, when people participate in the decision making process, they feel like they have more ownership which leads to better participation.
Thanks guys. I appreciate your comments and additional ideas (plans with tech). I think before we know it we will be talking to a hologram asking it to do things for us. Call mom, where is olive garden, what's the fashion trend, where do I buy it. Just an idea. If I had the time and money, I might just invent the dang thing so I can retire at 30! Haha!
Thanks for the video posting!! I can honestly say that's not something I would have watched on my own in you tube.
Now that I am aware of Shift Happens, I will continuously view them. It is a wake-up call for administrators, teachers, parents, and other stake-holders.
One point that stood out was the decrease in newspapers printed. I remember last year when the Seattle newspaper went out of business. It was one of the oldest newspaper circulations in the US. This is interesting because I believe the decrease is not due to a new-found interest in online reading, more than just availability. It is free to read blogs, etc. Newspapers cost and can be incovenient in our rush-rush society. Students are taking on this same attitude. They want to know immediately, "how long will this take?" "When will I have a grade?" "When do we leave this class?" They are rushing through classes / work to get back to texting, browsing, uploading, etc.
Betsy you make a great point about teaching kids responsiblity on the web!
However, many school systems are so afraid of the unknown that they block EVERYTHING. It is ashamed when teachers can't even use teacher tube in the classroom b/c it is blocked.
I teach online with North Carolina Virtual High School and many of our teachers encourage the students to follow them on Twitter. The teachers post pictures / videos from their travel experiences, etc. However, many students can't b/c their school's have blocked access.
I feel that if we teach kids to be responsible, and supervise regularly, less sites could be blocked and more learning and authentic experiences can occur.
I loved this clip. The music made me feel like I was in the Movie "Tron". Besides making me feel like I was in a Sci-fi movie from the 80's I felt that his clip had an excellent message for educators. That is we are competing with a lot of noise. This clip made it clear that our students today can get information from multiple sources. In fact, they are saturated with it as soon as they wake up. So as educators how do we get through all of this noise. How do we get students to understand what is important and what is just "spam". Todays administrators must find ways to engage students on a level never seen before.
I think that this would be great to share with teachers at a staff meeting. One of our first workdays each school year is devoted to technology. This would be a great way to open the day. I think it would help teachers see why we have to focus on incorporating teachnology into the classroom as much as possible. I think it would help motivate some teachers who are resistant to technology. This is the world we live in. Our classrooms should be reflective of that. I found it staggering that teenagers send an average of about 2200 texts a month. I have a teenager myself and could not believe tht this was a realistic figure. When I checked his phone bill, however, I see that my son is right there. I also found it interesting that 17% of US companies have disciplined emplyees for online comments or behviors. I think it is important for schools to teach students and staff about the importance of appropriate online behavior.
I agree with what many of you are saying regarding the amount of technology in schools that is not being used. I know in my school there are many new pieces on the technology carts. However, there has been no training on how to use them. I we want to have a focus on technology in the schools, we have to train staff on how to use the tools. I think that providing this training is the resposibility of the school administration. I also agree that administrators should be setting the standard for technology themselves.
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