Jo+Ann,+Early+Adopter

Questions to consider: Resources :
 * Technology Pragmatist -** Larry Cuban (Oversold and Underused: Computers in the Classroom. //Cambridge: Harvard University Press)//
 * From Cuban's perspective, what changes in an educational setting should be considered in order to seamlessly integrate technology, pedagogy, and content?
 * According to Cuban, nearly 8 out of 10 public school teachers own and regularly use personal computers. Why, then, do most teachers resist employing technologies to reach beyond existing practices? How is this different from using the same tools to sustain existing patterns of teaching, or to simply improve delivery?
 * Cuban rejects common claims that lack of access to tools & resistance to training are the primary causes for the gap between the promise of revolutionary classrooms and the reality. Instead, he considers tool **reliability**, **complexity** and **contextually constrained choice** when examining this issue. Please explain what he means by this.
 * Considering Cuban’s suggestions for change, what impact might a learning community have on efforts to embed technology to //transform// practice?
 * []
 * So Much Money Invested, So Little Use (personal article)
 * [] (blog post)
 * For further research - []

Larry Cuban is a Stanford historian of technology in education. He wrote __Oversold & Underused: Computers in the Classroom__. In order to seamlessly integrate technology in education, teachers have to be respected. When administrators, politicians and parents want computers in the classroom merely for the sake of appearance, they are forgetting about those who are working with our students. Teachers need to be given time for planning and collaborating so they can design, deploy and implement student-centered instruction. Professional development and technology support needs to be provided as needed,

[[image:sbisdlearnsymphony/Early Adopter footprint.jpg width="713" height="412"]]Early Adopter: Inquiry & Design Challenge
Destination Postcard: Name: Jo Ann Arlitt
 * Campus:Stratford HS
 * Grade Level(s):All
 * Discipline:Interdisciplinary Instructional Coach
 * Topic: Assisting our school's Early Adopters
 * What is my role? Support system
 * Will I be involved in creating, researching, implementing and/or providing feedback? As needed, I will do research and provide feedback for our group.
 * When, where, how? On an as needed basis.
 * Early Adopters teach English, Social Studies, Foreign Language and Science


 * An Opportunity in Overalls**

How is your journey like that of a storyteller? Of a researcher? Our group consists of pioneers who are instrumental in changing the ways SHS students learn. We recall "the way we were" and forge ahead with innovative classrooms using technology. We share the stories with our colleagues. Sometimes there is a bump in the road and we go back to Square One. The important thing is that we do not give up and revert to "stand and deliver" teaching.

February 2014 Our Early Adopter team is instrumental in changing the way we teach at SHS. All teachers have to complete two peer observations this year, and I am recommending visits to the Early Adopter classrooms. In addition, we already had teachers (and have acquired several teachers) who are inspiring their students to become self-learners. Between our Early Adopters and these teachers, some of our "stand and deliver" educators are beginning to squirm.



Resources:
 * Activity: