This is a review of five of the reports for my research. I have been looking at areas outside of computational thinking (my project) as well to look for other perspectives that might be important. One of my sources made a particular note about the relative newness of computational thinking.
Du Preez, N., & Katz, B. R. (2007). Case study: The implementation of a radical innovation project. International Conference on Competitive Manufacturing Conference Proceedings. Retrieved from http://www.indutech.co.za/attachments/135_Case%20study_The%20Implementation%20of%20a%20Radical%20Innovation%20Project.pdf
0 Comments
A common recurring theme over and over is that the incorporation of technology does not instantly lead to improvements in learning. Interestingly enough, this was proven long before these studies. I am currently reading Rewiring Educationby John Couch. Early in the book, he recounts the story of a push to improve schools through technology. This innovation project to implement technology called for the creation and use of educational videos in class. The argument was that the videos would streamline the learning and make the teachers more effective and individualize the learning in the classroom. The person pushing for this technological innovation was Thomas Edison. It turned out that the use of video changed nothing in the classroom, but the delivery method. Learning was not impacted. The main take-away I see from all of this is that the technology is just a tool that must be incorporated with better methodologies in the classroom. I recently had the opportunity to present at the ConnectED institute last November. Three years ago, Apple pledged one-billion dollars to improving opportunities in low performing schools. They didn’t just go in and drop iPads and MacBooks everywhere. It was a long running program of professional learning and curriculum design with ongoing coaching support. Everything shown throughout the studies presented here. References Couch, J.D. (2018). Rewiring education: How technology can unlock every student’s potential. Dallas, TX: BenBella Books, Inc. Case Studies
I’m sure I am not alone in having been through poorly led rollouts and initiatives. The week’s reading didn’t address anything earth shatteringly new for me. I found myself nodding along with it as I read. Our iPad rollout went just as poorly. We are working on revamping the implementation of our 1-to-1 iPad program and looking to learn from past mistakes.
Having a strong vision that is clear to everyone is so important. As soon as the “honeymoon” period is over, the whirlwind creeps in and threatens to put the new implementations and technology on the back burner. If that happens, you might as well just scrap the whole thing. I’ve seen it over and over. Sure, a few people press on and make it work, but most eventually fall off. When new staff come on board, there isn’t any momentum to get them going at all. This course is coming at an interesting time for me. There are several changes going on at my campus and central admin. The coding initiative several of us were involved with suffered from inconsistent leadership and vision. When the superintendent left, everything stopped. A few of us know that this is too important for our students to just let it go away forever. My project is related to it. There are plans in the works that may start everything up again. My work can either be a positive driving force or swept to the side. In large part, it depends on having a crystal-clear vision for it. It’s a pretty exciting time. |
About 5314This is my seventh course in the Lamar University Digital Leading and Learning program. I am now re-working parts of my plan, including the initial research and implementation strategies. ArchivesCategories |