Integrating Techmology: Ben Rimes is Spot On

Please read this blog post: http://www.techsavvyed.net/archives/2675 and also take a look at this Google doc by the author of the post, Ben Rimes: Every Common Core Standard Related to Technology and Digital Media https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-5el3aJjDd9j0WlJGA2gdtKQ8jwwuOCP98vx5zzJI6s/edit#heading=h.uu2x2oc99327

Choose one section of the Google doc that relates to a grade level and subject matter you are interested in.  Read over the technology-related standards listed for that grade and subject--no need to read the whole doc!

In post of about 200 words, summarize your reaction to the blog post and the section of the CCSS doc that you read.  You might consider:  What strikes you most about how the standards refer to technology?  What visions or ideas do you have for moving students toward these standards, or for continuing to support their growth?

Ben Rimes is spot on.  Right now the common core is a heated topic in Michigan as legislation (House Bill 4276 for 2013) has been submitted to eliminate district’s responsibility to participate in the state's Common Core Standards.  (See bill here: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28fdayf055ijh1nk5531sa4s55%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2013-HB-4276).  It will interesting to see how the Common Core Debate unfolds, however I am a proponent of the common core and even more so now that Ben Rimes has taken the time to really show how much technological integration has been added.  I currently work for the Michigan Department of Education in the Office of Career and Technical Education.  I spend the majority of my time visiting State Approved CTE programs to ensure that they are preparing students to be College and/or Career Ready.  I feel that the common core is a tool that is at the very heart of closing achievement gaps across districts and even within school buildings.  There is a large gap between Michigan’s highest and lowest achieving district’s and just as alarming is the gap found within many schools.  For a list of these schools see:  http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-22709_56562---,00.html.  

I absolutely believe that integrating technology in my own classroom is important.  I do feel that the way to do this is through the curriculum and through the teaching of subject matter.  I do now see the need to teach the technology separate, but rather should be integrated into each teacher’s classrooms.  When one of our students begins working, they will not be taught how to use Word.  Rather they are expected to know how to do this.  There is very little employer training the way it once was.  Now sites such as Lynda.com make people responsible for their own learning.  Free and open source resources for learning are everywhere on the web.  

For the common core document, I looked at the section under Student Who Are e College and Career Ready in Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Language because I am a certified English teacher.  What is repeated often is that students should use technology thoughtfully to enhance their skills in this area.  On my classroom website I have a link to several technology tools that allow students to do this.  For example, Firefox Add-Ons often allow students to highlight text as they are reading to take notes.  Others allow students to instantly look up definitions of words they may not know.  Even just a hyperlink embedded in a document is a tool that allows students to expand on their reading.  There are so many tech tools available to help students with their writing that go far beyond just the old Spell Check.  There are sites that help generate MLA citations.  There are literacy tools that can even turn written text into audio that would help enhance students listening skills.  One literacy tool that is great to help students put their thoughts on paper is Dragon Speak.  This tool can help with note taking, but also for many students who think orally, it helps to translate your words to paper in a way that their verbal thoughts are not interrupted or delayed as you write.  

I think Ben Rimes should be commended for working with the teachers in his school to realize that technology integration is part of the common core.  Hopefully, regardless of what happens with the legislation schools will still follow the common core and still find ways to integrate technology.  My hope is that teachers do this because they know this is what our students today need versus the fact that it is a mandate.  Facilitating discussions within our schools the way Ben Rimes did is what all of us who want to be technology leaders need to do.  His article/blog/googledoc is a great starting point that can be shared.