I think your goals are laudable, and anywhere you have commendable and
worthwhile goals coupled with an energetic and motivated teacher, you will
see success by your students. However, IMHO, I think you overgeneralized a
little bit in the second statement above. Many of my students in last
years computer literacy course left with a very sound education in the
basics of computers. Additionally, the multimedia component where we did
HyperCard programming as well as a little HyperStudio authoring gave the
students the opportunity to practice skills in a closed setting which
allowed them to practice skills before applying them. I agree that an open
setting designed to apply the skills to real-world problem solving is
necessary to reinforce and embed learned skills. This aspect, sadly, is
left to alternative school settings.
My point is that there are many success stories where students practice
skills in isolation of so called "real-world problem solving" at the school
level, only to go home and build upon their knowledge learned in school by
solving problems at the home. These students have a distinct advantage
over their peers who do not have computers in the home, or anyone providing
a learning environment that includes real world problem solving.
Good luck in your efforts.
Brad
Brad Pearl, M.Ed. mailto:bpearl@airmail.net
Spanish and Computer Plano Independent School District
Literacy Teacher Texas
Home: (214) 423-3855 School: (214) 519-8886 x6271
http://members.aol.com/BradEdTrek/main.html
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