The following email was brought to my attention today. It was sent to all Seattle Public School staff.
From: Cranston, Gary
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 12:35 PM
Subject: Tuesdy Tech Tip 5/16/17: Apply TODAY for Summer Blended Learning Institute, Immersive Reader, and Public Folders in OneDrive
Teachers,
This week’s tech tip includes information about how to apply for the 2017 – 2018 Blended Learning Summer Institute, use the Immersive Reader Learning Tool with Office 365 or the Office Lens app, and create a public folder in OneDrive.
Gary
Blended Learning Summer Institute 2017: Cohort 2 August 18, 21 and 22
Click here to apply for the Blended Learning Summer Institute and view additional information about the program.
Blended learning combines online digital media with traditional classroom methods. It provides some element of student control over time, place, path, or pace.
In this series of paid professional learning activities, you will:
- Explore different blended learning strategies to find the one that works best for you and your students.
- Design online resources to support personalized learning.
- Collaborate with other teachers to share resources and strategies.
- Provide feedback to DoTS and the IT team regarding use of 15 laptops in a blended learning classroom model.
**********
The terms “blended learning” and “personalized learning” refer to having a student in front of a computer the greater part of a school day, just like the term “school choice” actually refers to charter schools, the privatization of public schools. The terms are palatable and sound ideal to many as a positive leaning experience but those are just marketing terms. When you dig down into what software marketeers are actually referring to, it’s completely different. There is nothing personal about using a software program on a computer compared to interacting with a teacher and students.
In an article I wrote describing blended learning, I stated:
Online charter schools, which the capital venturists like to refer to as “blended learning”, is basically putting a student in front of a computer where they are to read, do their lessons and take tests.
Sports, history and the arts are not part of this program, just the basics.
The reason for the proliferation of these enterprises is that they are cheap to run and generate lots of revenue. At this time, Rocketship, one of the largest online charter chains, has recently increased its student to teacher ratio from 40:1 to 50:1. There is very little overhead, no gym, cafeteria, janitors, staff, just a CEO/Principal/Superintendent and administrative staff. The students do their work at home on a computer and communicate with their teachers via e-mail. The parents communicate with the teacher via phone on a schedule set up by the charter school. That’s the “blended” part, communicating with the teacher via e-mail, phone or “special software” that is promoted by these enterprises.
I believe there is a place for this kind of arrangement, when a student is not able to physically attend school, this would be a good option for those situations but that’s not how the online charter chains see it. They won’t be happy until they can get as many students as possible on a computer 6 to 8 hours a day. It’s all about the money.
The desire by private businesses, like DELL computers, is to sell computers and software. They see school districts as another cash cow as they did with charter schools.
So teachers, unless you want to be replaced with software, I suggest you pay attention to what’s going on in your district. Parents, unless you want your student in front of a computer all day in school, start asking questions.
Related articles:
How Online Learning Companies Bought America’s Schools
Profits and Questions at Online Charter Schools
Students of Online Schools Are Lagging
An Explosion in Lobbying Around For-Profit K-12 Programs
The inherent racism of Summit “public” (charter) school
Dora Taylor
Reblogged this on Mister Journalism: "Reading, Sharing, Discussing, Learning" and commented:
“Tech Tip o’ the Day for Seattle Public Schools: How to get kids and teachers in front of computers all day
by seattleducation2010
The following email was brought to my attention today. It was sent to all Seattle Public School staff. From: Cranston, Gary Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 12:35 PM Subject: Tuesdy Tech Tip 5/16/17: Apply TODAY for Summer Blended Learning Institute, Immersive Reader, and Public Folders in OneDrive Teachers, This week’s tech tip includes information … Continue reading Tech Tip o’ the Day for Seattle Public Schools: How to get kids and teachers in front of computers all day
Read more of this post…
Dora writes well in this and other articles about EdTech. I don’t hear parents requesting Personalized Learning or Blended Learning. Competency-Based Education is a part of both. Competency-Based Education or Learning is the latest iteration of Outcome Based Education which parents across the country fought years ago. There are a lot of issues with EdTech—data collection, data mining, Big Data, student privacy, workforce pipeline. Big Data, as referred to here, is used not just to mean the massive data bases of collected information but in the context of using that information to predict and influence behavior and decisions. The technology, not parents, teachers, or students, will be determine student needs and delivery digital material to address those needs. Links are provided below to more information about Personalized Learning, Blended Learning, and possible changes to the teaching profession that correspond with the EdTech push.
Personalized Learning
Blended Learning
Teaching Profession Future?