Hi my name is Patty Gasparino and I am very concerned about the movement to put computers in the hands of our youngest children.
I believe children should learn as children and just because you can do something (or "everyone else is doing it") doesn't mean you should. Give my children a compass and a map before you give up and hand them a computer. I am not against technology - I use it every day myself - but I don't think a 10 -11 year old needs to be tied - nor should be tied to a device.
I did a previous blog post *HERE*.
If you feel the same this page is for you! I will add to these links as I am able.
Thanks for stopping by and feel free to contact me or send me a link at gasparino6@att.net
You can read my personal letters here -
How this started:
A letter (speech) to the local BOE
You may join the Facebook group here : http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/267422293295907/
This page will also be permanently available by access to a page button up top in my heading - feel free to share this as a link!
Links to Articles I have found informative:
1. Questioning the actual value of what you get out of a tech driven education
Technology in Schools Faces Questions on Value
Schools are embracing digital learning, but evidence is scarce that the expensive technology is improving educational outcomes.
Quotes from this article.
" Critics counter that, absent clear proof, schools are being motivated by a blind faith in technology and an overemphasis on digital skills — like using PowerPoint and multimedia tools — at the expense of math, reading and writing fundamentals. They say the technology advocates have it backward when they press to upgrade first and ask questions later."
...and technology is really not so money saving
"The district plans to go back to local voters for approval of $46.3 million more in taxes over seven years to allow it to keep investing in technology. That represents around 3.5 percent of the district’s annual spending, five times what it spends on textbooks."
2.From the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Developement
Educational Leadership:Teaching Screenagers:One-to-One Laptop Programs Are No Silver Bullet
"Overall, however, most large-scale evaluations have found mixed or no results for one-to-one initiatives. After five years of implementation of the largest one-to-one initiative in the United States, Maine's statewide program, evaluations found little effect on student achievement—with one exception, writing, where scores edged up 3.44 points (in a range of 80 points) in five years (Silvernail & Gritter, 2007)."
3. Educational Software - Undistiguished curriculum and unproven results
Software Boom but Lagging Results
4. Article from New York Times about schools getting rid of their computers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/04/education/04laptop.html
Seeing No Progress, Some Schools Drop Laptops - New York Times
A handful of schools are abandoning one-to-one computing programs as educationally empty and worse.
5.Questioning the actual value of what you get out of a tech driven education
Technology in Schools Faces Questions on Value
Schools are embracing digital learning, but evidence is scarce that the expensive technology is improving educational outcomes.
6. Failed expectations of One to One
http://www.districtadministration.com/article/one-one-computing-has-failed-our-expectations
One-to-One Computing Has Failed Our Expectations | District Administration Magazine
7. Ironically many of those making the technology don't give it to their children or educate them in a school that is tech driven
At Waldorf School in Silicon Valley, Technology Can Wait
The Waldorf School’s computer-free environment has become a draw for parents at high-tech companies like Google.
8.This article talks about the way computing changes the way you think and retain information. Computers do not make us better thinkers - a very interesting read.
Quotes from the comments section - very interesting!
" Why do I have to learn any of this stuff when I can always ‘Google-it’ if I have to find out."
" Never did we think that providing her with a laptop, and broadband access 24×7 would also factor into it/cripple her."
9. Effectiveness of computer programs tied to teacher buy in
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/02/16/11-programs-only-as-good-as-their-teachers/
One-to-one computing programs only as effective as their teachers | eSchool News
A compilation of four new studies of one-to-one computing projects in K-12 schools identifies several factors that are key to the projects’ success, including adequate planning, stakeholder buy-in, and strong school or district leadership.
10. Prep necessary for a program
http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2008/01/23/3laptop.h01.html
1 to 1 Learning
Building and sustaining a computing program does not happen overnight.
11.Maine dropped 6 points this year from 21 to 27 in their state ranking in education ( our school is pushing Maine as a success story)
http://www.edweek.org/media/ew/qc/2011/QualityCounts2011_PressRelease.pdf
11. N.Y. Times opinion page - interesting debate
12. The decline of children being children and it's consequenses
13. What if the secret to success is allowing failure?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/what-if-the-secret-to-success-is-failure.html?_r=1&hpw
14. A very interesting documentary on our current education system
15. Yet another school system that says no to computers.
http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/Texas-School-Waits-To-Jump-On-Tech-Wave--133567398.html
Once you take a bite of that apple you can't go back.
A quote from a friend!
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. ~Edward Everett Hale
Thanks for stopping by please feel free to contact me or let me know if a link does not work for you !
Patty
