Talk about a WIN-WIN!!!
I was truly impressed with Janet Bremer and Marilyn Clark's efforts to engage students in both community service as well as technology. There are a lot of things to cheer about whether its getting the students to invest in their community through learning, creating a learning environment where technology can be meshed with ingenuity or incorporating other services such as the Art class that provided design covers. The fact that the students worked primarily on their own while developing professional grade products is rather astounding.
In my capacity as an officer in the US ARMY, I have had the opportunity to story board for products and briefs that were used during my time in Afghanistan. This perishable skill is something that many professionals covet and these young men and women are learning how to do this AND support their community at the same time!
Janet and Marilyn are also providing all of us educators with a model of collaboration that works. I am so tired of hearing about how teachers are getting the job done. Its so nice to read, see and feel that teachers can and DO get it done. Being a teacher is not just being someone who can interpret rubric in a particular curriculum. being a teacher is leading students and affording them the opportunity to excel in and out of the classroom. These two teachers are inspirations to me to do better, be better and look for collaboration opportunities within the community.
We can male a difference in both word and action. We can do this with or without support of administrations. And we can achieve, but only with the student in mind!
Bremer, J., & Clark, M. (2005). Filming Compassion. Learning & Leading with Technology, 39-41. ISTE: EUGENE, OR.
Lance,
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great idea to get kids involved in helping the community and using technology along with it is awesome! With technology at their fingertips they have the opportunity to reach more people.
Lance,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you . Collaborations between students and the communities is crucial. If we want children to become active members in society we need to encourage and support reaching out. I think we should never underestimate our power as educators or doubt our resources. Our classrooms will be as successful as we allow them to be. So we should encourage reaching out and extending our services. It will benefit the community as well as our students.
Excellent Post,
Angela