Just want to say how much I've enjoyed reading (a number of times) your post
below. You have very effectively and concisely laid out an approach to
education that I, and I'm sure many others, share. I'm going to save this
one.
I'd love to observe your metal working course. What a great way to help kids
build confidence.
Thanks,
Fred
On Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 2:04 PM, Matt Pearson <Mpearson@mcds.org> wrote:
> An interesting thought.
>
> Perhaps we should define learning as well. In today's age of instant
> information do I really need to know what the OSI model is and what layer I
> am operating on? I mean really know it, while I can get online and find the
> model in fifty different representations very quickly?
>
> In my opinion, teaching students how to learn, i.e. search out, gather,
> filter, synthesize and use information is the single biggest skill set we
> can give them. I could not fix my car when the header gasket started
> leaking and then eventually cracked the header. I was able to find a book
> and go online and find the information necessary on how to rebuild the
> entire engine. No, I don't want to "know" how to do something I may never
> need, but if I know where and HOW to find that information I can then decide
> whether paying a mechanic $4k to fixe my busted engine or me figuring it out
> and then doing is worth it to me. Options and choices are borne out of
> knowledge (with a dash of wisdom).
>
> I have been called a wizard at technology and while it may be true that I
> have acquired a tool chest for things like networks and computers etc.
> There is no magic. There is a CAN-DO attitude, perseverance, and the
> skills to find and learn about the answer.
>
> Remove yourself from the subject of tech for just a moment...
>
> How many students do you have cutting and welding steel at your school?
> Metal working is a trade and skill that has no smoke and mirrors, but does
> require putting yourself right next to really hot stuff and wear lots of
> gear, and can be quite scary to the new learner. If you give your students
> a sense of security and trust AND the firm belief that they have the ability
> to forge new skills and new abilities, they will explore and become engaged
> in all sorts of new environments IF you give them the choice. Right now, we
> have more girls welding than boys.
>
> We all know that we are teaching our students for jobs that have not yet
> been invented. Challenges as yet undefined. Problems from issues we cannot
> even fathom.
>
> The single biggest thing you can give them is self-confidence and a tool
> chest for figuring things out, finding data, and then presenting that
> information to either themselves or other students.
>
> The how and the where of gathering and learning needs to become second
> nature so that we can collaborate and then focus on the why.
>
>
> Matt Pearson
> Director of Technology, Security and Safety, MCDS
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A forum for independent school educators [mailto:
> ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Brian Lee
> Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 10:08 AM
> To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Subject: Re: Girls avoid "techie stuff"?
>
> Maybe we should define fluency in computers...
>
> Technical:
> Troubleshooting technical issues with computers?
> Using SSH to create a script using Emac that allows specific function to
> perform?
> Learning and understanding how firewall rules work in regards to their
> network?
>
> Non-technical:
> Using Word, Excel, and Powerpoint to create presentations?
> Using online tools for homework?
>
> Does your 1-to-1 program involve having girls replace hard drives and
> reinstalling Windows? I believe there is a difference between using a tool
> and fixing it.
>
> I have not seen any issues with girls embracing computers as a tool to
> finish their homework, but I know it is rare to find a girl who actually
> likes to fix computers.
>
> How many of you have actually formed a club/class that allows girls to
> learn
> about SSH, TCP/IP, OSI Model, PCI-Express vs. AGP, DDR RAM, partitioning
> hard drives, etc? Fluency in using the tool is easy, but fluency in fixing
> it is a different matter.
>
> Example:
> I know how to drive a car, but do I care enough to learn how to fix it?
>
>
> Brian Lee
> Manlius Pebble Hill School
>
>
>
> > From: Fred Bartels <fredbartels@gmail.com>
> > Reply-To: A forum for independent school educators <
> ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
> > Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:49:24 -0400
> > To: <ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
> > Subject: Re: FW: Girls avoid "techie stuff"?
> >
> > One of the really beneficial aspects of a 1-to-1 program is that girls
> > become just as fluently competent with computers as boys. There are still
> > differences in what they do with computers, but both girls and boys have
> > fully embraced computers as essential tools for helping to achieve their
> > goals.
> >
> > Fred
> >
> > --
> > Fred Bartels
> > Dir. of Info. Tech.
> > Rye Country Day School
>
> [ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
> Submissions to ISED-L are released under a creative commons, attribution,
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>
> [ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
> Submissions to ISED-L are released under a creative commons, attribution,
> non-commercial, share-alike license.
> RSS Feed, http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS&L=ISED-L
>
--
Fred Bartels
Dir. of Info. Tech.
Rye Country Day School
[ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
Submissions to ISED-L are released under a creative commons, attribution, non-commercial, share-alike license.
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