Desktop Publishing: a tool from the past?

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.

Having a conversation really works!

I was scheduled to present at HC summer institute yesterday. My presentation focused on utilizing iMovie to assist with behavior management programs in the schools. After I presented my idea, my plan was to have the participants actually spend some time creating an iMovie with me. Well, I found out the night before that computers were not available for me to use...so I would have to present without that component. Well, I really got nervous! How was I going to talk for 75 minutes and not bore the participants to death!!! Luckily, our previous week showed a great example of how to just have a conversation. So, that's what I did. I talked about how the idea came up, what we decided to do and I used my presentation as supplemental information to what I was saying. They didn't have to even really look at the screen. And, when they did, they were easily re-directed to my conversation. Needless to say, things went over great. I even had to stop myself for going OVER the time limit. What a wonderful lesson and great application of the concept to boot.

It works...and, I definitely plan to implement this concept in all future presentations.

Marketing the product: true technology integration

Marketing the product...what exactly does this mean. I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I'm learning about technology integration and how this really applies to the school system I work in. Unfortunately, I don't believe "the product", technology integration, is really being marketed well. I understand the struggle with budgeting concerns. However, when are the school systems going to really look at what the research is saying about the digital natives and how it is imperative to begin technology integration at all levels to ensure the success of our children? I also thought about how there are many school administrators who say they support the technology initiative and yet do very little to support it's integration into every classroom.

Perhaps, technology educators need to spend more time "marketing the product". We have to be the voice that local government members hear when they are proposing budget cuts that impact school technology programs. Perhaps we need to be the voice that administrators hear in the lunch rooms discussing all of the great ways we are integrating technology and how it truly impacts our students. And, what is needed to fully integrate technology programs. Perhaps we need to be the voice at the PTA meetings that presents a united effort (Parents, Teachers and Administrators) in providing the tools that our children need in order to be more successful in a technology infused society.

Perhaps we need to think of a new marketing plan that shares research, documentation and ideas of how we can effectively integrate technology into every classroom, before it's too late.