I know there are many options available for the development of valuable and effective materials. However, as this applies to public education, I believe that there will still be a place for the older tools as well. Education tends to be less on the cutting edge of what's new and more towards what is affordable yet sufficient. I believe that these tools as we know it may undergo a face lift to become more user friendly, but the fundamentals of the software will remain the same....if only for our generation's use. I understand the desire to include the new and flashy, yet, studies show that this is not the most effective way to present information. And for this reason, educators, still charged with the task of presenting materials for educational purposes, will still need affordable tools to accomplish this task. And, I believe that we will see more need for these materials in several years to come. Companies that produce DTP will see the value in producing materials for larger corporations like public education districts and will begin to incorporate the components of newer tools into what is already available. They have to play the marketing game. And, unfortunately, many large contracts (government, public agencies, etc.) just don't have the funding to purchase the more expensive software.
Although free tools are available for use, there is still so much red tape in order to make these available for student use on a regular basis. Until school systems develop a strong acceptable use policy that will support the use of the internet and the tools available, they will continue to struggle with keeping up with current technology trends. However, some exposure to these tools will prepare our children for success when they begin training course for new jobs.
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5 comments:
A-
I totally agree with you on this one. Desk Top Publishing is cheap, and benefits the children. It is a win win situation for educators to continue using DTP with their students.
LJ
Hi A,
I still struggle to understand how we are going to educate world-class students ready to work in a global environment when we give them "good enough" tools.
I agree that your outlook is probably the reality of our situation. But, I don't agree that we are doing enough "for the children".
LC
Thanks for your comments...interesting that we are all tech teachers with a similar mind. Bloggie doggie, do you think we are doing a disservice to our students by using these "lesser" tools? Or, is it the skill of learning the process that is most valued?
Comments anyone else?
AG -
Your comments re: the continued need of educators, not students, is right on the money. And, I am not afraid to admit, it was not what we had in mind when we developed this activity. Thanks for bringing the needs of the teachers back in front of our eyes.
Your comments about the red tape involved with getting a new tool in front of the students struck a chord with me also. Web 2.0 has so much potential, but the districts won't really feel comfortable with those tools for quite some time to come. Why not continue with what we know to work in the meantime right?
Scott
Kiwanji,
Thanks for your comments. I found the best cure for this "red tape" syndrome is to find what free tools are appropriate for use and then share my success with the powers that be. Again, perhaps to much of asking forgiveness instead of permission. But, I go out on the limb for my students and I think in the long run it will pay off.
AG
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