it's all about the students...

I cannot believe how plugged into the world of technology I have become. Wikis, twitter, blogging...my world is expanding. I have been able to connect with some edubloggers and learn from educators' tweets. A teacher from Johannesburg posts links to interactive math tools...another teacher interested in educational technology posted this description of a school in Canada that had been displaced by a tornado and reconstructed the school as follows:

"By reallocating resources and using recycled furniture, principal William Demille made a commitment to transform this new school into a universally designed environment with Speaker systems in every classroom, Smartboards, document cameras and much more. The staff and students will always feel a sense of connection after experiencing such turmoil and change. The transformation has just begun."

Then I read quotes from students that a teacher in the Bronx shared with his readers. The students lifted up their teacher and provided him/her ( I can't tell which yet :)) with encouragement. The students' comments reminded me why I am in this program, why I care about learning educational technology, why I want to learn and fight against institutional oppression, why I want to research educational reform...it's all about the students. I think it is a school's job to prepare students for a job, for higher learning, for life beyond high school. I like Dewey's idea of "filling in the gap" between students' parents and themselves. I think even in an ideal world where parents are involved in their children's lives, other adults need to step in and share their wisdom and love with the children. It's that "it takes a village to raise a child" idea. I've experienced the benefits of this "village-raising" in my own life. My parents were (still are actually) very involved in my life and sacrificed a lot for me, but without the input of my high school teachers, adults from my church, and my friends I wouldn't be who I am today. Seriously. 

So I definitely agree with Dewey when it comes to the importance of the social aspect of school. Communicating with people, learning about people's humanity-knowing and valuing our similarities and differences, and learning who we are in the process is invaluable. Through relationships in my life, I have been able to identify my strengths and weaknesses and value as a human being. Putting work into relationships develops character and selflessness which the world definitely needs more of. All of these thoughts are what would keep me from homeschooling or even putting my child in a private school. I would want my child to experience the challenges and rewards that come with being in a public school environment, especially those in areas with diverse populations. Going to school and interacting with students of all different economic, religious, and racial differences as well as differences in ability and sexual orientation. Heck, if I want my child to be sheltered. And that is what I would want for children in the U.S. 

As a teacher, I plan on creating an environment where it is safe for students to interact with each other while at the same time being themselves. I know this will take encouragement on my part as well as high expectations that are explained and upheld. I want students to learn from each other, and I think educational technology will help support my desire for students. The internet with its twittering and wikis and blogging, provides a vector for student communication. I will, of course, never forsake face-to-face discussion, but am excited to implement all that I am learning about technology in my future classroom.