As a sixth grader, Daniel would sit in on the evening Web Publishing Fundamentals and Intermediate classes I taught for the school system. The educators taking the classes were tech savvy teachers, web curators, and technology specialists, and it would be accurate to say that he ended up helping me with those who were having difficulty with the CSS code and graphics, sitting next to the teachers and showing them which icons to click.
Daniel’s technology skills were definitely advanced for his grade level, but he was not alone. Each year there are always a couple of students who are too advanced for the Microsoft Office and entry level multimedia focus of our Middle School Technology Tools curriculum.
Fast forward three years later, Daniel’s latest project is using the Wii remote to create a ~$100 Interactive Whiteboard. With encouragement from some of his teachers, he has given presentations to various teachers and administrators in his school to suggest that there are cheaper alternatives to the expensive Interactive Whiteboards we use. As a result, he has learned alot of valuable real world “business” and “marketing” skills in addition to the technology skills required to create such a project. His presentation can be viewed here.
Where did Daniel learn to develop the research and technology skills required to replicate and customize the Wiimote Whiteboard?
YouTube and the Internet…. In other words, NOT in school.
Educators who advocate for more technology and projects that require higher level thinking and authentic experiences in schools often talk about the need to stay “relevant” in our student’s education.
I think the term “relevant” is confusing for many, because, what exactly does “not staying relevant” look like?
Perhaps it looks like when some students learn to be innovative somewhere else…
Of course, what is learned in school is important, but so are the missed opportunities….
