[LINK] Teachers fear computers in the classroom

[Stephen Loosley]

brendansweb at optusnet.com.au wrote:

> Perhaps the article should have been titled:
> "Experts Unanimous: IT Interferes With Learning"

Maybe :-) but IT sure helps run schools.

The following email-exchange is web-archived
on the automatic-subscription website for anyone
who subscribes to the mailing lists. Altogether, this
exchange between local Vic gov and private schools
discussing IT today (rather than curriculum) does give
a snapshot of two well-endowed school IT environments:

________________________________

> Sent: Thu 9/15/2005 1:36 PM
> To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
> Teachers'Mailing List
> Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Another off-topic query
>
>> Mary <mary at edumail.vic.gov.au> 09/15/05 12:35pm
>>
>> ..Sorry - I also forgot to mention that the Computer Network based
>> Roll Call system allows you to print class lists, copy and paste class
>> lists into other applications (eg Excel for your record keeping - with
>> the Palm Pilots I still had to type in Excel class lists), and view and
>> print timetables for any student or staff member within the school.
>>
>> Overall a fantastic resource, and with wireless connections and/or
>> networked computers being available in all offices and many rooms
>> this is certainly an improvement on the Palm Pilot system. And no roll
>> monitors walking into your class - EVER!!! And year level coordinators
>> and others know exactly where a student should be at any given time,
>> or after recess if they have been late or absent.
>>
>> We have also done away with paper based notes from parents re:
>> absences or lateness - now the parents must call the school before
>> 10am to report an absence or lateness (just like when you are in the
>> workforce!). The student is then marked as N on Roll Call by the office
>> staff (Alan the super hero!)
>>
>> Also when there is an excursion/sport etc the list of students
>> involved are given to Alan and he marks it on Roll Call so you know
>> exactly who is on the excursion.
>>
>> We don't have problem with PC access as there are so many in the
>> school (although some obviously slower than others). Our principal
>> insists we all use our wireless laptops and threatens to remove all
>> computers from offices / staff resource room etc and place them in
>> classrooms (sure to happen sooner rather than later! :) So from that
>> viewpoint the pilots too would be beneficial, although an added cost.
>>
>> And I must admit that there were several times I lost or misplaced mine
>> - which caused frustration and much upset and time looking for it! (It
>> always turned up in some stupid place like the xx room or where I had
>> left it while concentrating on some other aspect of a busy day!) I often
>> have staff coming into my IT room to do their rollcall ..
>>
>> Mary
>> Bentleigh Secondary College
>> 9579 1044
>>
>> "Furious activity is no substitute for understanding." H. H. Williams

Hi Mary (and everyone else)

We use Rollcall too, but we use it WITH Palm Pilots (currently Zire
21s). All the benefits you specify, although we still have the paper
notes. Plus there's no groaning about having to carry a laptop around or
having to fight over limited workstations to input attendances.
Dis-benefits at present include some technical issues with hotsyncing
and convincing staff to Hotsync at recess and after school and a few
other minor odds and sods. Rollcall have a website at
www.rollcall.net.au and David there is pretty responsive.

Mike
Canterbury Girls Secondary College

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--

Cheers all ..
Stephen Loosley
Melbourne, Australia