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Youth and Educators Succeeding
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December 2008
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Dear ,
Another new year is coming with all its inherent opportunities and challenges. Despite the recession, there are signs of hope: a new government in the United States, a growing desire to look beyond high stakes tests as a measure of student accomplishment, the NAEP technology assessment effort, and a more widespread realization that our youth can be a force to help solve many of the world's problems.
During 2008, young people were instrumental in using online communications to affect the U.S. election. This kind of enthusiasm in young people is real evidence that they can and will be the catalyst for important change in education.
Have a restful holiday season and see you in 2009!
Forward... Dennis
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Washington school receives Weyerhaeuser Grant
TechYES Science supports STEM initiatives
The Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation has provided a $25,000 grant to the Mill Creek Middle School in the Kent School District. More than 400 7th grade students will participate in the TechYES Science program and complete projects in their science classes that combine technology and science in innovative ways.
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GenYES students speak out about technology
Impact on lives, education, and more
At B. Gale Wilson school in Fairfield, CA, English teacher Patrick Cook teaches a GenYES class. These students assist teachers school-wide with technology projects and problems. Several GenYES students were recently featured in the local paper showcasing their leadership and technology services they provide the school. Last week Patrick sent along some great essays from students about how technology has impacted their lives. Here's part of just one of them. "When I heard we were getting a computer class at our school, I was very excited. I love, love, love computers, so I wanted to participate. I'm in a technology class, and we use a program called GenYES. I have learned that many people do not know how to work with technology, and that I am very lucky to know as much as I do. I feel that this class has helped me a lot and that I will be able to help many people in life.Now that I know the basics of a computer I am able to help many people with their problems. Before this class, I didn't know how to do anything. Now I can fix lots of things when they are broken. My mom will be like, "Mackie, the computer is broken." Then I will go over there and be like, " mom, the LAN wasn't even plugged in." And then our problem is solved. But If I hadn't taken this class then I wouldn't know any of that.When I used to think technology I would just think computer or phones. But now I think CPU, LAN, USB, Optical mouse, and much more. I have gotten really into technology and enjoy learning and teaching about it. I have taught a 4th grade class how to create a PowerPoint and it was very fun. It was a great experience teaching and involving technology in the younger kids lives. I am happy to help people with technology anytime." - Mackie D. Thanks to Mackie and her classmates at B. Gale Wilson, along with GenYES students across the country, teachers are getting more help with technology integration, using computers more, resulting in all their students getting the benefits of a 21st century education. In these tough economic times, we can't afford to ignore students as part of the technology integration team! Students have so much to give, and love to learn how to help others with the technology skills. This is a win-win for students, teachers, and administrators looking to make good use of under-utilized technology already in place in so many classrooms. Learn more about GenYES.
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 New video -- TechYES in action
Lots of people tell us that they love TechYES and our philosophy of project-based technology literacy assessment. But they need to figure out ways to show others that this kind of authentic assessment is possible and really works! So, here it is, TechYES in Action. This is a short video showing real students and schools using the TechYES model. It explains how student technology literacy assessment is not only possible, but superior to standardized tests in technology. Let us know if this is the convincing argument you've been hoping for! >>TechYES in Action Video
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Dr. Gary Stager visits Brooklyn TechYES Science schools
Ed tech expert Gary Stager spent three days in December visiting some of the schools participating in the Brooklyn Science TIP program. Dr. Stager emphasized constructivist learning using Lego Robotics and Microworlds connected to the science curriculum. Seventh grade students in 11 Brooklyn middle schools are working toward their TechYES Science technology literacy certification in this EETT funded initiative. Science and technology literacy - the perfect partners! |
Heavy-handed filtering is a problem, not a solution
So says cyber security expert Nancy Willard, quoted in a post on the GenYES blog. Willard also offers practical answers and sensible tips for educators in dealing with cyber bullying and other Internet issues. Students
need reliable access to the Internet that is not arbitrarily blocked.
Students also need to be taught how to use the Internet wisely for
themselves and others.
The GenYES philosophy is to teach students school rules and policies, and then give them responsibility for enforcing these policies. By including students as partners, it creates a stronger culture of respect and learning which works much better than fear and threats of punishment.
In GenYES schools we often hear that security issues are lessened as
the GenYES students provide teachers and administrators with evidence
that students can and should be trusted with responsibility.
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Sylvia Martinez to be on NAEP Technology Assessment planning committee
NAEP tasked to deliver nation's first tech literacy assessment
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 Constructing Modern Knowledge - Math/Science event in January
Computer-rich learning adventures for creative educators to focus on math and science
Ever wonder what happened to the compute in computing? A one-day Constructing Modern Knowledge event will be held in January in Philadelphia and focus on math/science and technology. This will be held as a pre-conference of the Educon 2.1 "unconference" at the Philadelphia Science and Leadership Academy. Register for one or both - spaces are going fast! More information here |
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